Tributes flow for Kiwi director Geoff Murphy

Veteran filmmaker Geoff Murphy at his Wellington home. 16 September 2015. Photo / Supplied

Acclaimed Kiwi film director Geoff Murphy has died and many kind condolences are being shared about the star.

Murphy, 80, was a leading figure in the fledgling New Zealand film industry in the 1970s - directing classic films including 1981's Goodbye Pork Pie, Utu and The Quiet Earth.

The NZ Film Commission said it was "very saddened" to confirm Murphy had died yesterday.

New Zealand First is also saddened to learn of the death of pioneering movie director.

"Murphy worked hard with vision and passion, sometimes against the odds," says Arts, Culture and Heritage spokesperson Jenny Marcroft.

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"His legacy will be the contribution he made to our film industry that is today respected around the world."

"He richly deserved the accolades which came his way and his loss will be felt by many in the film industry."

Friends and fans of the Kiwi film legend have taken to social media to share their condolences.

We are very saddened to hear kiwi film making legend Geoff Murphy has passed away. Our condolences and much aroha to Geoff's family. Thank you Mr Murphy for entertaining us and letting us know we are strong enough to tell our own stories. 💛 pic.twitter.com/VRwLVPyp3c

— Wgtn Film Society (@WgtnFilmSoc) December 3, 2018

Geoff Murphy. Absolute legend. So quiet and unassuming. Made a good cuppa too. RIP. His & Merata’s son Heperi has done them both proud. #Legend #film

— Moana Maniapoto (@moanatribe) December 3, 2018

Starting to see stories that filmmaker Geoff Murphy has passed away. He made so many entertaining films in his career....I'm a fan of his work https://t.co/ksy8KqoX69

— Stuart Bannerman (@FromPage2Screen) December 3, 2018

RIP Geoff Murphy. You made my favourite New Zealand film, one of the best end of the world movies out there. Hope you have found yourself somewhere awe-inspiring. pic.twitter.com/pmXRr5z1kq

— Steve Newall (@STIVVY) December 3, 2018

Farewell to a #BloodyLegend Geoff Murphy. My parents loved Pork Pie and it is so pivotal in bringing kiwi humour and cheek to the big screen. But for me Utu is a landmark - extraordinary as a film and in it's efforts to redress the visions of our past. pic.twitter.com/2WNg9710Mx

— CelluLion (@clion_g) December 3, 2018

Saddened to hear of the passing of groundbreaking filmmaker #GeoffMurphy. Your work will forever be imprinted on the canvas of New Zealand cinema. #RIP https://t.co/fsbU10GJyx

— Suzette Major (@SuzetteMajor1) December 3, 2018

Legendary NZ director Geoff Murphy has died, leaving behind an incredible and influential legacy. Here's an article I wrote on what I consider to be his masterpiece, the historical action-drama UTU: https://t.co/NLOMcza04L

— Andrew Todd (@mistertodd) December 3, 2018

Last month we published this lovely tribute to Geoff Murphy, written by his son, our colleague Hepi Mita https://t.co/z9xWqCn1rU pic.twitter.com/bDUDwJ5uR5

— Ngā Taonga (@ngataonga) December 3, 2018

Geoff Murphy, RIP. The director of, among others, Goodbye Pork Pie and Utu. 80 years old, a life very well lived. #GeoffMurphy

— Grant McDougall (@grantkmcdougall) December 3, 2018

Goodbye Pork Pie to Geoff Murphy. A long, illustrious career in NZ filmmaking.

— Lisa (@fuzzykiwigrl) December 3, 2018

R.I.P Geoff Murphy film director....Goodbye Pork Pie and many more and a leader for others to follow....also part of the group Blerta along with Bruno Lawrence....there was never any video to the song, but Dance All Around The World is still awesome https://t.co/LZUHwSclOD

— Dave Worsley (@DaveLWorsley) December 3, 2018

A bloody legend! RIP Geoff Murphy. https://t.co/l1DzFhRqe2

— Chris Hormann (@TheMyrka) December 3, 2018