The world needs more John Barnetts.

But it’s with much sadness that Aotearoa lost its only one this week.

Many in the creative community are still in shock at the sudden passing of film and television producer John Barnett - a man whose fingerprints can be found on so many extraordinary screen taonga through an incredibly successful career.

But what set Barnett apart is not his hit-making ability. Rather, it was his dogged, determined and kind-hearted nature to lift up as many involved in the creative process as he could, including those in under-represented areas of society.

There is no questioning Barnett’s credentials. He was the producer of four of the country’s top 10 grossing films - the BAFTA-winning, Oscar-nominated Whale Rider, Footrot Flats, Sione’s Wedding, and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? - that in itself puts him in the legendary category.

Then you take into account the length of his career - starting in 1973 - his role running Aotearoa’s largest production company, South Pacific Pictures - from 1992 to 2015 - and he was still involved up until his passing with his own Endeavour Ventures, which develops feature films and TV series.

His part in bringing us Shortland Street and other Kiwi institutions like Outrageous Fortune (among many others) shouldn’t be underplayed and won’t be forgotten by those in the know. He also was critical in setting up arts-driven film channel Rialto (then Sundance), was on the NZ Film Commission board, a former president of Spada and was made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for services to film and television - just one of his countless industry accolades.  

South Pacific pictures Kelly Martin shares “John will be missed by all who work in film and television in NZ. He was devoted to our industry in a way that is impossible to quantify, and he shared with many different people in many different ways. He loved to nurture and grow talent, and there is a long list of NZ practitioners who John influenced.” 

Colleague Andrew Szusterman adds “John understood audiences and what the public wanted he delivered. We are all as an industry indebted to a man who wanted to entertain all of New Zealand. He accomplished that and has left a legacy that we at SPP will continue to nourish and cherish.”

Spada paid tribute also - “John worked tirelessly to ensure producers’ voices were heard in policy, funding, and creative arenas, and his advocacy helped strengthen the industry for all who followed. John’s life, career, and legacy will leave an indelible mark on our industry.”

Away from his bread-and-butter of screen work, Barnett was supportive of so many other creative endeavours with endlessly enthusiasm. He was co-founder of the National Business Review and OnFilm magazine, was a financial lifeline and mentor to iconic hip hop label Dawn Raid and involved with a number of organisations like the Auckland Arts Festival.

His last public appearance was supporting an Auckland Theatre Company show, the night before his passing.  

Artistic Director & CEO Jonathan Bielski states “John was with us for the opening night of MARY: The Birth of Frankenstein on Saturday. He was his usual ebullient self, working on what sounded like the biggest deal of his career, having just turned 80. John Barnett loved making movies and TV, he loved show business. In his distinguished career he was a champion of New Zealand talent, making screen projects here and exporting them to the world.

“John was a loyal and generous supporter of our Company and the project to build the ASB Waterfront Theatre. Whether he liked a show or not, he was always an enthusiast, always insightful, often hilariously funny. Although John was modest about it, I know that his generosity was widely shared, backing social causes and the cultural sector.

“Our opening nights will be the poorer for John’s absence.”

He was also hugely admired for his persistent and consistent championing of Aotearoa’s diverse voices - including projects that showcased Māori, Pacific and Asian communities.

Director and screenwriter Roseanne Liang - who’s career has include a string of hits both locally and internationally, shown on huge platforms like Hulu, Netflix and Apple TV - shared on social medial the incredible impact Barnett had on her career.

“John Barnett gave me my start directing feature films. He attended one of the first festival screenings of my documentary feature Banana in a Nutshell, muscled his way up to me through the audience after the QnA and said 'Terrific documentary. Wanna make the dramatic feature film of it?'. I always marvelled at his prodigious, curatorial viewing habits across our local theatre, comedy and film. He was often first off the mark, a true arts punter with a keen eye.”

He played a key role in helping Liang achieve her film directorial debut, My Wedding and Other Secrets. “John had a vision of what he wanted the film to do, and he followed through. He made it an event for our community. It was the first film directed and written by New Zealanders of Asian heritage, and it was the highest grossing local theatrical film of that year. It plays on TV re-runs now, sometimes at Christmas. People will still message me about it, 14 years later.

“In the years since, John has remained a friend, fellow Board member and opinionated-as-hell advice giver. His passion for local stories only grew with time. As I’ve read in post after post, he was as quick with a controversial take as he was with a congratulatory email - and so it was with me. Thank you John, for everything.” 

His funeral on Thursday (28 August) is sure to be well attended - with a celebration of a life well-lived and a spirit impossible to forget. There won’t be another John Barnett, but more in his mould can only be of benefit to everyone in Aotearoa.

$50K opportunities for important projects

In news sure to have been welcomed by Barnett, two Aotearoa initiatives have been given a major boost from Screenright’s annual $300,000 Cultural Fund. 

Jack Media’s ‘Te Piringa: A Programme for Indigenous Wellbeing in Screen Storytelling’ is a six-month pilot programme designed to support the health and wellbeing of Māori and Indigenous screen practitioners, both on-screen participants and crew. It will addresses the emotional labour, cultural responsibility, and potential for retraumatisation involved in Indigenous storytelling, especially concerning topics of colonisation and intergenerational trauma.

Indigenous-led resources such as mana-enhancing talent agreements, guidelines for working with sensitive material, and trauma-led protocols for interviewing, consent, and participant aftercare are also touted, with the pilot to directly support 10-15 participants through three regional wānanga and an online resource hub.

Nicola Smith from Jack Media reacts “I’m incredibly grateful to receive this funding to bring Te Piringa to life. This kaupapa has the potential to become a significant cultural resource for Indigenous storytellers and creatives, one that uplifts our people, honours our ways of healing, and embeds care at the heart of how we work. It’s a step toward a safer, stronger future for our industry.”

They receive $50,000, as does Te Tari Tuhi Kupu A Whakaahua Script to Screen for their ‘Script Development Workshops for Deaf, Disabled and Neuro Diverse (DDN) creatives’ programme designed around up-skilling in innovative screen storytelling.

Co-created with DDN artists and organisations aimed at breaking down barriers for progression in the New Zealand screen sector, the workshops will cover fundamentals of screen storytelling, including character development, conflict creation, scripting, dialogue writing, and genre exploration, and are open to those developing short films, TV, digital series, and feature films.

Script to Screen Executive Director Dale Corlett states “These workshops have been designed to support this underserved and underrepresented group of creative talent, helping to uplift them and their stories, and creating pathways for progression in the screen sector in Aotearoa, NZ. Script to Screen looks forward to working with the community on the final planning and design of the programme before inviting applications from participants.” 

Word up...and running

South Island creative highlight WORD Christchurch kicked off on Wednesday (27 August), with more than 100 writers, performers and creative minds set to engage with the appreciative locals. 

The festival - which has more than 50 free and ticketed events up until its conclusion on Sunday (31 August) - got off to a cracking start.  Programme director Kiran Dass told The Lowdown “The theme of WORD 2025 is JOY and what a joyful way to open the festival on Wednesday with the sold out Lost the Plot WORD quiz and the Word - The Front Line High Schools Grand Slam. 

‘It was wonderful to see so many smiling, happy audience member’s faces light up The Piano and Tūranga as they competitively battled out for the top prize at the quiz, or listened to the brilliant high school students move and inspire us in the poetry slam. The high school students made us feel like the future is looking bright and the kids are alright.”

Festival executive director Steph Walker says this year’s programme has been well supported so far - with some events still available for the people of Ōtautahi to attend.

“WORD is a gem in the city’s arts and festivals scene, with a festival full of books, stories, performance and community-minded events. More than 22% of the programme is free, with select sessions’ tickets at a pay-what-you-can-afford price thanks to the support of our partners.”

Among the leading lights on display; authors Catherine Chidgey and Becky Manawatu fresh from Edinburgh duties, and other literary luminaries like Gavin Bishop, Steve Braunias and Ockham NZ Fiction winner Damien Wilkins.

Comedian Tom Sainsbury and film-maker Duncan Sarkies will be sure to tickle a few funny bones, Aotearoa Children’s Music Award winners and locals Loopy Tunes are putting on an afternoon Rangatahi Boogie and there’s no rest for Chris Tse - a week after relinquishing his Poet Laureate mantle, he’s hosting Love at First Line: A Poetry Dating Show.

Nelson's new direction

Further north, the Nelson Arts Festival has revealed its full programme for their 11-day annual tradition (23 October - 2 November), with 46 artist events confirmed.

It’s the 31st edition - but the first with new Artistic Director Janelle Bish at the helm.

Bish told The Lowdown “Putting together this year's programme was a leap into the unknown for me!  Having visited Nelson only a handful of times in my life, I had to work fast to understand and absorb the beating heart of the many communities that make up Whakatū. And of course, I'm still on that journey now.  

“I want to be sure we're always listening to what our people want to see from the festival, and how our audiences hold and celebrate its value, while inviting curiosity and risk-taking for the hardy arts lovers. 

“In its 31 years, Nelson Arts Festival has had incredible, visionary and dynamic leadership. and in recent times, that leadership has really driven hard to broaden access and programming opportunities to genuinely be more accessible to all of its communities - so we wanted to protect that legacy and continue some of the incredible partnerships and platforms that and are now transcending the festival beyond its origins. 

“While the impacts of this economy and major climate events have made recent months very tough for many locally in Nelson Tasman, there is still a determined energy for creativity that pulses through the whole region. That spirit is what we want the festival to embody.  Coming together and continuing to imagine new ways of thinking, making, being and creating art for now, and also for future generations.”

Bish has pulled in some of the most talented names in Aotearoa music to help light up Whakatū, opening the festival with Cinematographer - Taite Music Prize-winner Anthonie Tonnon’s live event that blends original compositions with archival film footage, visual DJing and psychogeographic storytelling. Anna Coddington, Takadimi, and PollyHill & Samara Alofa will also provide a smorgasbord of different genres.

There’s double dose of Eleanor Bishop and Karin McCracken, with two EBKM award-winning show - Yes Yes Yes and Heartbreak Hotel - sure to prove as big a hit with Nelson audiences as they have at the likes of Melbourne, Edinburgh Fringe and London. 

Booklovers will be the proverbial pig in muck with this year’s Pukapuka Talks line up of 31 authors, including Ali Mau, Tāme Iti, Hinemoa Elder, Elizabeth Knox, Matariki Bennett, Airana Ngarewa and Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku.

Throw in the likes of annual highlight Mask Carnivale - and Nelson can expect an influx of creative visitors in a few months time.

Arts movements

There have been a number of coming and goings in the arts world recently.

Q Theatre has announced Sally-Anne Kerr as its new Chief Executive - bringing more than 30 years of experience to the gig. Most recently, she was Executive Director of TAPAC (The Auckland Performing Arts Centre) and has held senior roles in the screen sector, cultural development agencies in Australia, and corporate law.

“Q is a cornerstone of the performing arts in Auckland. I’m excited to work with the talented team, artists, and community to build on its strong foundations and explore new opportunities for growth, innovation, and connection."

Board Chair Penelope Barr-Sellers states Kerr's “unique blend of strategic vision, financial and operational leadership, and deep commitment to creativity will strengthen Q’s role as a vital home for performing arts in Tāmaki Makaurau. Sally-Anne’s experience in guiding organisations through growth and change is an exciting match for Q’s future.”

Kerr will take over from Barb Glaser, who has been serving as Interim CE since June and will finish up next month.

The NZ On Air Board have welcomed in two new appointments with screen industry veteran Robin Scholes and experienced journalist Adam Gifford joining, taking the roles vacated by Sarona Aiono I’osefa and Philip Broughton after their six-year stints.

And former RNZ Chief Content Officer Megan Whelan's time with the commissioning department has officially closed, heading off on her next journey.

Pacific pride

Shane Walker has cleaned up at the 21st Pacific Music Awards - his name read out three times at Manukau’s Due Drop Events Centre last week.

He’s collected Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Song for his track Believe, and the People’s Choice Award as Best Pacific Artist.

Hot on his heels was the timeless Aaradhna, the soul siren’s comeback producing the Best Pacific Female Artist award and featuring on the winning track for the Streaming Award, They Don’t Know alongside Savage.

Aaradhna reflects “This means a lot to me because I put a lot of heart and soul into this album. Sweet Surrender was a long time coming – I probably put seven years into working on this album, and I’m really grateful to be able to win something for this album in particular.”

Also bagging a brace of awards, A.R.T claimed Best Pacific Group and the Radio Airplay Award for their hit When He Was Mine (Pele Fo’i Mai).

Sam V can’t stop winning when it comes to the PMAs, landing the Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist and Best Producer alongside Astro and EDYONTHEBEAT. 

There was a poignant moment with the Creative NZ Award - given posthumously to Chris Ta’aloga Faiumu (better known as DJ MU from Fat Freddy’s Drop) for his contributions to Pacific music production, which was accepted by his family on the night. 

Grey area

Cristina Sanders is buzzing after winning the $5,000 New Zealand Society of Authors Shaw Writer’s Award for 2025.

As well as being the name on the prize she established last year to encourage the development of new novels by mid-career fiction writers - Shaw is one of the judges alongside  Dr Paula Morris and Catherine Roberston. 

Shaw states, “I was really impressed with Cristina's ambitious idea for her fifth novel that mashes together time travel and history. It's an interesting progression for this author who has worked hard to achieve success in her writing career. 

“Cristina has already completed a solid first draft of the novel, and I look forward to seeing a new perspective of Aotearoa historical issues in a near-future context.” 

Sanders will use the award to continue research into her time-travel story of colonial governor, Sir George Grey.

"Thank you Tina Shaw! The timing of this award is perfect; I’m off to wander Te Rohe Pōtae next week, whispering up ghosts and stories, tracing our colonial history in the geography of hills and rivers. I’m am so grateful to the judges for considering my story, with all its peculiarities, worth telling."