The Tavern, The Yarns, The Madness: How the Coromandel Helped Shape Cult Kiwi Film The Tavern - Coromind Issue 42, 2026

A Kiwi cult comedy with roots deeper than its Waikato setting, The Tavern carries the spirit of the Coromandel through its characters, stories, and soundtrack of local life. Writer and creator Matt Hicks reflects on over a decade spent in the region’s pubs, festivals, and back-room yarns that helped shape the film’s heart. From grassroots screenings to national success, this is a story of how a small-town film found its voice, and its audience.www.coromind.nz