About
This classic kids’ adventure series follows a boy trying to find his missing father, amidst the 1860s Otago gold rush. The show displayed unprecedented production values, and demonstrated that Kiwi-made kids’ drama could be successfully exported. This first episode sees Scott Hunter (Andrew Hawthorn) steal away to Tucker’s Valley, spurred on by his unsympathetic uncle. In the background pieces, writer Roger Simpson recalls creating 13 scripts at high speed, and director Tom Parkinson writes about the Kiwi landscape as character, and finding the production team.
Key Cast & Crew
Related images
A robber (Ian Watkin, right) realises his partner (Norman Forsey) may no longer be on his side in 1976 adventure series Hunter's Gold.
A behind the scenes shot during the filming of Hunter's Gold.
Photograph by Dale Gardiner
A behind the scenes shot from the making of Hunter's Gold.
Photograph by Dale Gardiner
Michael O'Connor prepares to roll camera during the making of TV series Hunter's Gold.
Photograph by Dale Gardiner
A shot from 1976 television series Hunter's Gold: Ken Blackburn as Baddock, and Andrew Hawthorn in the starring role as Scott Hunter, on a mission to find his father amidst the Otago goldrush.
The second half of a crew shot, taken on the first day of shooting for TV series Hunter's Gold. At the top of frame are actor Jim Archibald (sitting on the top of the coach), and standing next to him, lead actor Andrew Hawthorn. In the white beard on the driver's seat of the coach is stagecoach driver Ted Connel. Sitting at far left: assistant grip Vic Yarker (kneeling), ??, sound man Bernie Wright (in white top, with raised hand), second assistant director Craig Hutchinson (orange top), cinematographer Max Quinn (brown top and beard), then focus puller Brian Nelson (in brown hat) and camera operator Michael O'Connor. Editor Chris King (bearded) is standing behind Hutchinson in a blue top and white shirt. At the very front are assistant art director Duncan Young, then lying on the grass in blue, grip Peter Mardell. Sitting to his right in black cardigan, director Tom Parkinson, then in white, an unknown props assistant, then Televison Production Assistant Margaret O'Carroll (in white), then ?? (a props assistant), then (leaning on elbow) floor manager Tony Holden.
Photo supplied by Michael O'Connor
The first half of a crew shot, taken after lunch on the first day of shooting TV series Hunter's Gold. Standing in the black and white dress towards the left is makeup artist Christine Hillcote, then in blue t-shirt, production manager Brian Walden and make-up artist Wyn Corby. Sitting in the front row, starting on far left: ??( in blue), production designer Logan Brewer (in brown), assistant grip Vic Yarker (kneeling in blue), then at very front, location owner Lynn Heron (in blue and brown beard) and (lying on the grass) grip Pater Mardell. The man standing in orange hat and white top at the far right is boom swinger Rod Wilson.
Photo supplied by Michael O'Connor
A picture of the tent ‘city’ built for series Hunter’s Gold - near the Shotover Bridge, on the edge of Queenstown.
Photograph by Dale Gardiner
The charred remains of the Ballarat Hotel set, taken during the making of series Hunter’s Gold.
Photograph by Dale Gardiner
A scene from the first episode of Hunter's Gold.
Photography by Dale Gardiner
