SCENE 01 / THERMAL IMAGING
Thermal Imaging
Heat visualization for your New Zealand production.
Here is how this works in practice. Thermal imaging cameras detect infrared radiation to visualize heat signatures invisible to standard cameras. In New Zealand this technology unlocks unique wildlife filmmaking—tracking elusive nocturnal kiwi in native forests, locating tuatara on sanctuary islands, finding Hector's dolphins in coastal waters, and observing royal albatross at Taiaroa Head—while delivering striking visualization of Rotorua's geothermal fields, White Island volcanic activity, Tongariro alpine zones, and the dairy and seafood processing industries that drive the country's economy.
Here is the short of it. We source pro FLIR thermal systems and infrared cinematographers across New Zealand and Oceania, working with the New Zealand Film Commission, Stone Street Studios in Wellington, and Screen Auckland. Our team sets up gear customs, secures DOC permits for national parks, navigates iwi consultation for filming in culturally major sites, and makes sure your thermal footage qualifies for the New Zealand Screen Production Grant of up to 40%.
Capabilities
Thermal Services
Professional thermal imaging for documentary, scientific, and creative applications.
01
Thermal Cameras
- FLIR professional
- High-resolution sensors
- Real-time display
- Recording capability
- Multiple palettes
Heat Visualization
02
Production
- Narrative integration
- Documentary filming
- Scientific capture
- Wildlife tracking
- Technical imaging
Diverse Applications
03
Analysis
- Temperature data
- Heat patterns
- Thermal anomalies
- Comparative imaging
- Data export
Scientific Data
04
Creative
- Color palettes
- Aesthetic looks
- Compositing
- Special effects
- Post-processing
Visual Style
See the Heat
Capabilities
Our Process
Requirements Review
Knowing what you need to visualize and the thermal traits of your subjects.
Equipment Selection
Choosing the right thermal camera system based on resolution, sensitivity, and aesthetic needs.
Production
Capturing thermal footage with proper setup for accurate and visually compelling results.
Post-Production
Processing thermal data and integrating footage with your production.
On Location
Thermal Imaging Across NZ's Geothermal and Glacial Extremes
Here is how this works in practice. Our thermal imaging inventory in New Zealand spans FLIR Boson 640 / Tau 2 cores integrated into RED Komodo / Sony FX6 hybrid rigs, FLIR T-Series handheld imagers, DJI Matrice 350 RTK with the H30T dual thermal-visible payload (under CAA NZ Part 102 commercial drone certification), and Workswell WIRIS Pro thermal cameras. Subject coverage is uniquely different: Rotorua's geothermal fields including Pohutu Geyser at Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu, Orakei Korako, and Waimangu Volcanic Valley — among the most active geothermal landscapes in the Southern Hemisphere. White Island / Whakaari volcanic tracking (the country's most active volcano, with major 2019 eruption history under iwi-managed access — Ngāti Awa). Mt. Ruapehu and Mt. Ngauruhoe (Mt. Doom in LOTR) thermal cone tracking through GNS Science partnerships. Industrial thermal imaging for the Wellington and Auckland tech sectors, Christchurch infrastructure rebuild tracking, and energy-grid doc work.
Here is the short of it. Wildlife thermal applications have nocturnal kiwi tracking on Stewart Island/Rakiura (under strict Department of Conservation oversight), kakapo population tracking (Sirocco-celebrity-grade work in Whenua Hou / Codfish Island), and morepork (ruru) census ops. DOC permits are required for any conservation-estate filming, with the extra layer of GNS Science access protocols for active volcanic sites and iwi/hapū consultation under Te Tiriti o Waitangi where ancestral whenua are involved. The country's volcanic thermal heritage was popularised worldwide through LOTR (Tongariro Mt. Ngauruhoe as Mt. Doom) and Andrew Lesnie's helicopter-aerial work. Ongoing Avatar and Rings of Power shoots retain thermal records as part of their VFX reference workflows. We bundle ACC universal accident insurance, WorkSafe NZ compliance for active-volcanic-zone access, and NZSPG 20% + 5% productivity uplift records through the New Zealand Film Commission. Tourism The country frequently commissions thermal imaging for geothermal-zone brand activations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What can thermal cameras visualize?
Thermal cameras detect heat radiation, visualizing temperature differences. They can show body heat, engine heat, electrical hotspots, heat loss from buildings, and even recent contact traces on surfaces.
What resolution is available?
Pro thermal cameras range from 320x240 to 640x480 and higher. While lower than visible light cameras, modern thermal sensors give detailed visuals suitable for HD and 4K production.
What are the color palette options?
Thermal cameras give many palettes—white-hot, black-hot, ironbow (rainbow), and many others. Each gives different aesthetic looks and can be selected based on creative needs.
Can thermal be used for wildlife?
Here is the breakdown. Yes, thermal imaging is uniquely valuable for New Zealand wildlife—locating nocturnal kiwi in dense native forest where they would otherwise be virtually impossible to film, detecting tuatara on covered sanctuary islands, tracking Hector's dolphins in coastal waters, and finding royal albatross chicks at Taiaroa Head.
Is thermal footage useful for documentaries?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Thermal is uniquely powerful for New Zealand documentaries—visualizing the geothermal fields and mud pools of Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu, capturing volcanic activity at Tongariro and White Island, revealing thermal management in dairy processing plants, or logging the energy efficiency of Stone Street and Weta production facilities.
Can thermal footage be composited?
Yes, thermal footage can be composited with visible light footage or used as creative elements. Post-prod can boost thermal visuals for specific visual effects or scientific presentations.
Related Services
Productions in New Zealand that need this often pair it with Night Vision Filming, Helicopter Filming, and Car Filming for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Lighting & Grip and Steadicam & Gimbal Operators.
On Set
Need Thermal Imaging?
Tell us about your thermal visualization needs and we'll reveal the invisible.