Legendary New Zealand film and television producer John Barnett has died
Radio New Zealand
August 25, 2025
Legendary New Zealand film and television producer John Barnett has died.
The Screen Production and Development Association confirmed Barnett died on Sunday night.
He began his career in 1973 and ran the country's largest production company, South Pacific Pictures, from 1992 to 2015.
Barnett's current company, Endeavour Ventures, develops feature films and international TV series.
He was a producer or executive producer on four of the country's 10 top grossing films: Footrot Flats, Whale Rider, Sione's Wedding, and Once Were Warriors sequel What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?
Barnett was made companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to film and television in 2019.
He said over his career, Whale Rider was one of his greatest achievements.
The film won a BAFTA Award, Oscar nominations for actor Keisha Castle-Hughes, and made over $50 million internationally.
Alongside his internationally acclaimed films, Barnett championed projects that introduced New Zealand's Māori, Pacific and Asian populations, as well as establishing Sundance Channel (now Rialto), the first art house film station.
BARNETT, John
Born: 8/17/1945, Auckland, New Zealanf
Died: 8/24/2025,
John Barnett’s western – producer:
Wild Man - 1977
Here is another actor who died earlier in the year without any fanfare. This one I really remember.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.tapatalk.com/groups/monsterkidclassichorrorforum/rex-holman-1928-1935-2025-t97491.html?view=unread#unread
Yes, I noticed his passing in the SAG-AFTRA Magazine and wrote the first entry at the forum (I'm Lukelt). I contacted Mike Barnes at The Hollywood Reporter about an obituary, but he said too much time had passed since his death. Too bad, he really deserved one. Hope Tom B. can put together something...
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