Filmmaker Costa Botes dies after nearly a decade with cancer

Sunday 23 November 2025 · 7 outlets · 5 reports · updated Sun 23 Nov 2025, 7:15pm

In this story Peter Jackson

Prolific documentary and film-maker Costa Botes has died following a nearly ten-year battle with cancer. He gained recognition for his work on the mockumentary Forgotten Silver alongside Peter Jackson. Botes also received multiple awards for various short films and documentaries throughout his career.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZSun 23 Nov 2025, 4:59pm

   Film, documentary maker Costa Botes dies after nearly a decade with cancer (opens in new tab)

   Also on Waikato Times (opens in new tab), The Post (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesSun 23 Nov 2025, 5:29pm

   Film-maker Costa Botes dies after nearly a decade with cancer (opens in new tab)

3. 1News via RNZSun 23 Nov 2025, 6:02pm

   Filmmaker Costa Botes dies after nearly a decade with cancer (opens in new tab)

4. NZ HeraldSun 23 Nov 2025, 6:27pm

   Kiwi documentary and film-maker Costa Botes dies after nearly a decade with cancer (opens in new tab)

5. Stuff via RNZSun 23 Nov 2025, 7:15pm

   Film, documentary maker Costa Botes dies after surviving nearly a decade with cancer (opens in new tab)