A collection of 75 hard-to-find US silent films were uncovered in the national film archive of New Zealand.

Upstream, a previously lost 1927 film by renowned director John Ford, is said to be the best item in the collection.

A drama starring 1920s screen icon Clara Bow was another a major find.

"There are some real treasures in the collection," Brian Meacham of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts told New Zealand radio.

"New Zealand and Australia were the end of line from Hollywood.

"They end up being home to fabulous collections that through benign neglect can survive for years and years," he said.

The films were originally transmitted to New Zealand for screening but were decided not to be sent back to the United States because the cost for shipment is too expensive.

"These important films will be preserved and made available to both American and New Zealand audiences to enjoy," said Chris Finlayson, New Zealand's minister for arts, culture and heritage.