Waititi first began to adapt the book Wild Pork and Watercress in 2005, and completed multiple different drafts.[10] The early drafts stayed true to the book. However, later versions departed from it in several ways.[11] Julian Dennison was cast by Waititi from earlier work they did together on a commercial.[12]
The film had a budget of approximately NZ$4.5 million,[12][13] of which $2 million came from the New Zealand Film Commission.
The film was shot over five weeks, in locations including the Central Plateau and the Waitākere Ranges. Almost the entire film was shot using a single camera.[14]
