South - First Episode

Host Marcus Lush called this 2009 series a "love letter" to the characters and stories of the south. In this first episode he sleeps over on Dog Island (where he learns a lighthouse doesn’t have curved beds). Then it’s down to Stewart Island to join "Robin’s teepee cult" and meet Mason Bay whānau, and back to the Aucklander's adopted hometown of Bluff to chat with artistic beachcombers. South continued JAM TV’s winning collaboration with Lush (Off the Rails, ICE). At the 2010 Qantas Awards, the series collected gongs for best presenter and for director Melanie Rakena.

Cleverly interwoven are archival footage, offbeat quips and unexpected anecdotes. And if you want to see Lush shirtless in a tepee, or swimming in his gruts in a river, here's your chance.

– Sarah Lang describes South in a profile of Marcus Lush, The NZ Herald, 16 August 2009

Key Cast & Crew

Melanie Rakena

Director, Producer

Marcus Lush

Producer, Presenter

Jacob Bryant

Cinematographer

Deirdre Harkin

Line-Producer

Andrew McMurdo

Sound Recordist

Tony Manson

Network Executive