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Profile image for Paul Gittins

Paul Gittins

Actor, Director

History enthusiast Paul Gittins devised award-winning show Epitaph. As well as hosting it, he directed episodes across three seasons. The series used gravestone epitaphs to explore stories from New Zealand history. Gittins also presented historical show Shipwreck, and directed one-off documentary My Kainga My Castle. As an actor, he did extended shifts in the early days of Shortland Street, playing clinic boss Michael McKenna (father of Angela Bloomfield's character Rachel). He also plays father to the hero in two films directed by Ian Mune: The End of the Golden Weather and The Whole of the Moon

I got this appreciation of New Zealand's history through doing this series. I realised that our history ... it was raw, it was vivid, exciting, dramatic. Paul Gittins on his television series Epitaph, in an October 2011 ScreenTalk interview with NZ On Screen

Thumbnail image for Paul Gittins: From TV doctor to TV director...
Interview

Paul Gittins: From TV doctor to TV director...

Interview, 2011

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NZ Wars - Stories of Tainui

2021, As: Governor Grey - Web

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Jonah

2019, As: Sports Journalist - Television

Thumbnail image for Jonah - First Episode

Jonah - First Episode

2019, As: Sports Journalist - Television

Thumbnail image for Bloopers - Shortland Street

Bloopers - Shortland Street

2018, As: Michael McKenna - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street: Inside an Icon (25th anniversary)

Shortland Street: Inside an Icon (25th anniversary)

2017, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Past Memories

Shortland Street - Past Memories

2017, Subject - Web

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Aftermath

2013, Narrator - Television

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Harry

2013, As: David Bell - Television

Thumbnail image for Aftermath - Triumph of the City (Episode Five)

Aftermath - Triumph of the City (Episode Five)

2013, Narrator - Television

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Flat3

2013, As: Paul - Web

Thumbnail image for Strongman - The Tragedy

Strongman - The Tragedy

2012, As: JK Patterson - Television

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After the Waterfall

2010, As: Sergeant Kelvin - Film

Thumbnail image for Murder on the Blade?

Murder on the Blade?

2003, As: Crown Prosecutor - Television

Thumbnail image for The Truth about Tangiwai

The Truth about Tangiwai

2002, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for Epitaph - Fire at the Coal Face

Epitaph - Fire at the Coal Face

2001, Presenter, Original Concept, Executive Producer - Television

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Shipwreck

2000, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for My Kainga My Castle

My Kainga My Castle

2000, Director, Writer, Research - Television

Thumbnail image for Shipwreck - The Tragedy of the Boyd

Shipwreck - The Tragedy of the Boyd

2000, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for Shipwreck - The Wreck of the Orpheus

Shipwreck - The Wreck of the Orpheus

2000, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for Epitaph - An Unforgeable Signature

Epitaph - An Unforgeable Signature

1999, Director, Presenter, Writer, Original Concept, Research, Executive Producer - Television

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Epitaph

1997 - 2002, Director, Presenter, Writer, Original Concept - Television

Thumbnail image for Epitaph - Last Man Hanged

Epitaph - Last Man Hanged

1997, Original Concept, Presenter, Executive Producer - Television

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City Life

1996 - 1998, As: John Gable - Television

Thumbnail image for City Life - First Episode

City Life - First Episode

1996, As: John Gable - Television

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The Whole of the Moon

1996, As: Alex Mead - Film

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Trifecta

1995, As: Henry Bennett - Television

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Riding High

1995, As: Charles Thorburn - Television

Thumbnail image for Riding High - First Episode

Riding High - First Episode

1995, As: Charles - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Kirsty and Lionel's wedding

Shortland Street - Kirsty and Lionel's wedding

1994, As: Doctor Michael McKenna - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - The birth of Carrie's triplets

Shortland Street - The birth of Carrie's triplets

1993, As: Michael McKenna - Television

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Shortland Street

1992 - 1995, 1997 - 1999, As: Dr Michael McKenna - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - First Episode

Shortland Street - First Episode

1992, As: Michael McKenna - Television

Thumbnail image for First Hand - Bowling Order

First Hand - Bowling Order

1992, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for First Hand - Changing Minds

First Hand - Changing Minds

1992, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for First Hand - Just Like Anyone Else

First Hand - Just Like Anyone Else

1992, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for First Hand - Mahurangi Day

First Hand - Mahurangi Day

1992, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for First Hand - Out of Work

First Hand - Out of Work

1992, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for First Hand - Paradise Lost

First Hand - Paradise Lost

1992, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for First Hand - Running the Rubbish

First Hand - Running the Rubbish

1992, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for First Hand - Sister to the Sinner

First Hand - Sister to the Sinner

1992, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Highlights from the first 15 years

Shortland Street - Highlights from the first 15 years

1992 - 2007, As: Doctor Michael McKenna - Television

Thumbnail image for You Make the Whole World Smile

You Make the Whole World Smile

1992, Performer - Music video

Thumbnail image for The End of the Golden Weather

The End of the Golden Weather

1991, As: Dad - Film

Thumbnail image for The Boy from Andromeda - The Guardian

The Boy from Andromeda - The Guardian

1990, As: Ralph - Television

Thumbnail image for The Shadow Trader (Part One)

The Shadow Trader (Part One)

1989, As: Colin Dresden - Television

Thumbnail image for The Shadow Trader (Part Two)

The Shadow Trader (Part Two)

1989, As: Colin Dresden - Television

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Hotshotz

1989, As: Brian Fraser - Television

Thumbnail image for Steel Riders - Bloodstones (First Episode)

Steel Riders - Bloodstones (First Episode)

1987, As: Councillor Coucy - Television

Thumbnail image for Steel Riders

Steel Riders

1987, As: Councillor Coucy - Television

Thumbnail image for A Death in the Family

A Death in the Family

1986, As: Cal - Television

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Heart of the High Country

1985, As: Jonas - Television

Thumbnail image for Pioneer Women - Princess Te Puea

Pioneer Women - Princess Te Puea

1983, As: Roy Seccombe - Television

Thumbnail image for Close to Home

Close to Home

1982 -1983, Actor - Television