About
The Democracy Crisis
The Democracy Crisis is a story about how corporate power is buying influence and undermining democracy—one that mainstream broadcasters won’t touch. That’s why we’re taking matters into our own hands.
We’re producing a documentary that the world truly needs—a story that has the power to inspire, educate, and ignite change. Our plan is to have it completed and screened in cinemas across Aotearoa/New Zealand in the crucial weeks leading up to the 2026 election.
Your support is the first step in making this happen. By contributing, you’re helping us shine a light on this urgent issue and empowering communities to demand change.
Join us in bringing The Democracy Crisis to life.
The Documentary
Gold mining in the Coromandel
Donald Trump’s re-election as the 47th President of the United States highlights a growing crisis in democracy affecting many Western nations, including New Zealand.
Here at home, international corporations and wealthy individuals are wielding undue influence over our neoliberal government, which welcomes offshore “investors” that exploit our resources and damage our environment.
To better understand this issue, we’re focusing on a specific example: the proposed gold mining operation in the Coromandel State Rainforest. By unpacking this story, we aim to expose the deeper problems driving this crisis.
In our upcoming investigative documentary, filmmaker Bryan Bruce and Director of Photography Conan Fitzpatrick will reveal how a Canadian mining company lobbied New Zealand’s right-wing coalition government to approve a massive project: a 7-kilometre tunnel beneath the protected Kauri trees of Wharekirauponga. This fragile ecosystem, home to unique species, faces destruction in the name of profit.
This is a story about how big money is undermining democracy, bending rules to serve its interests while disregarding people and the environment. It’s a story mainstream broadcasters won’t tell.
That’s why we’re crowdfunding The Democracy Crisis documentary to screen in cinemas across Aotearoa/New Zealand before the 2026 election. But we need your support to make it happen.
Join us in funding this critical film and help shine a light on the fight for democracy and justice.
Bryan Bruce
The Filmmaker
Bryan Bruce is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated documentary makers, known for his fearless storytelling and commitment to social justice. Starting as host and scriptwriter for The Late Late Show, he later created series like We’re Only Human.
When TVNZ’s documentary department dissolved, Bryan founded Red Sky Film & TV, producing over 30 documentaries, including Safer Sex and the award-winning The Investigator.
Over the decades, Bryan has written, directed, produced, edited, and often presented more than 30 documentaries and docudramas. His work spans natural history, psychology, sociology, social justice, and true crime, including the acclaimed series The Investigator, which won a Qantas Award and was sold globally.
Bryan’s hands-on approach often takes him around the world, offering a global perspective on complex issues. From social inequality to environmental challenges, his films aim to inspire change by holding power to account.
Committed to accessibility, Bryan launched a Substack in 2024 to make many of his documentaries available to the public.
Join Bryan Bruce in using the power of documentary filmmaking to inform, provoke, and inspire action.
Conan Fitzpatrick
Director of Photography
Conan is our director of photography and editor with around 20 years experience, through which he has maintained a strong emphasis on environmental and social justice themes.
Recent work includes Ake Ake Ake, 3x one-hour documentaries for Māori TV on the crisis at Ihumaatao, precipitating out of a year working among tangata whenua there. His work with author and documentarian Bryan Bruce includes The Food Crisis (Sky) and Inside Child Poverty Revisited (Three), which was nominated for best documentary at the 2023 New Zealand Television Awards.
