John Barnett headed South Pacific Pictures, the makers of Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune and many more Kiwi television staples, and produced 18 feature films.
John Barnett headed South Pacific Pictures, the makers of Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune and many more Kiwi television staples, and produced 18 feature films.
For Whale Rider actress Keisha Castle-Hughes, the memory of the late John Barnett is inseparable from her own rise to the world stage at 12 years old, when he stood “tall by my side as a little girl, in front of audiences all over the world”.
Barnett, a revered NewZealand film and television producer, died aged 80 on Sunday night, one week on from celebrating his milestone birthday.
The child star worked with Barnett in the early 2000s when he produced the film, which led her to become the second-youngest person nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
As the film’s 25th anniversary nears, Castle-Hughes found herself “reflecting deeply” on her and Barnett’s journey together following the news of his death.
“I feel such immense gratitude to have known you. Thank you for always giving me the space to ask endless questions for 25 years, and for answering with such generosity,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Your vision for our film and television industry was nothing short of extraordinary - you challenged us all to rise to meet you there, and to believe that we could. That belief changed me, and it has shaped us all.
“Moe mai rā e te rangatira. Kua hinga tētahi tōtara i te wao nui a Tāne.”
Sione’s Wedding and Shortland Street star Teuila Blakeley said Barnett’s influence reached far beyond the film set.
“It is almost impossible to put into words the impact that John Barnett had upon my life, professionally and even more so personally.
“How to reflect on a life so richly lived and so generously spent. How to encapsulate his incomparable contribution to our industry, his genius, talent, fortitude and wisdom.
John Barnett headed South Pacific Pictures, the makers of Shortland Street (pictured), Outrageous Fortune and many more Kiwi television staples. Photo / South Pacific Pictures
“He truly was an inspiration to me in every way. John had an exuberance for life, for storytelling and for people.
“I feel so fortunate to have had his influence, enduring friendship and, most of all, his kindness in my life. That is what I will always treasure and what I will miss the most.
“Ia Manuia lau Malaga lou Afioga.”
‘Stalwart of the NZ film and television industry’
Barnett entered the media industry in 1973 and founded New Zealand’s largest production company, South Pacific Pictures (SPP), in 1988.
Under his leadership, SPP raised the bar for local storytelling, producing the acclaimed Whale Rider, comedy film Sione’s Wedding, and the long-running television staple Shortland Street.
In a statement, SPP said it was with “heavy hearts” that it farewelled its founder.
“A stalwart of the NZ film and television industry, John led South Pacific Pictures for almost two decades, championing uniquely Kiwi stories to the screen, and building a robust film and television business – one that continues to deliver because of the incredible base he built."
The company wished “all John’s family a long life”, signing off its message with the Hebrew honorific ז״ל (may his memory be a blessing).
It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of John Barnett. (CNZM, ONZM).
A stalwart of the NZ film and...
Managing director Andrew Szusterman added: “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.”
After selling his stake in SPP to the company’s UK-based majority shareholder, All3Media, Barnett returned to independent producing, setting up a new independent enterprise called Endeavour Ventures.
“Ninety-eight-point-five-per-cent of all people in New Zealand have seen a programme produced by John,” Endeavour Ventures’ website says.
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