RobinScholes
- Producer
- Executive
Robin Scholes is one of New Zealand’s most experienced producers. Her credits range from feature films (Once Were Warriors, Mr Pip) to TV shows (Heroes, Black Hands) and documentaries (award-winners Hidden Places - Ōkārito and Colin McCahon: I Am). Scholes was a partner and managing director of high-profile production company Communicado. In 1997 she was made an OBE for services to film and television.
Biography
Robin Scholes argues that the job of a producer "is to enable", and "never take 'no' for an answer" — finding the money, "so that the director has the means to direct". Scholes began making films as an academic, and later overcame varied obstacles to bring blockbuster hit Once Were Warriors to the screen. At indie company Communicado, she collaborated with a number of directors early in their careers: from Lee Tamahori on Warriors to Gregor Nicholas (Broken English) and Christine Jeffs (Rain).
Screenography
Awards
2025 Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM)
For services to the screen industry
“If you’re starting out and you're wanting to learn stuff, the best thing to do is to work within a company . . . personally I’m a great believer in combining your energy and your talents with other people.”
Related images
A shot from the Once Were Warriors premiere. From left to right: Neil Roberts from production company Communicado, actor Cliff Curtis, producer Robin Scholes, actor Temuera Morrison, Communicado's Garry McAlpine and director Lee Tamahori.
