"We pursued this film for all of those reasons but also because we genuinely love being in business with Taika."
Waititi: "We developed a really strong relationship with The Orchard on What We Do In The Shadows. They did such a great job on that release that I'm really pleased to be partnering with them again on Wilderpeople.
"I'm excited the film will be getting a theatrical release in North America. It was the main thing we wanted coming into Sundance, so we're all going home happy."
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is based on the Barry Crump novel Wild Pork and Watercress.
It stars Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House, Oscar Kightley and Rhys Darby.
It is due for release at New Zealand cinemas on March 31.
READ MORE: Julian Dennison talks about being the film's breakout star.