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Profile image for Arthur Baysting

Arthur Baysting

Writer, Performer

Although better known as a songwriter and a spirited champion of New Zealand music, Arthur Baysting made a number of contributions to the screen. In the 1970s he was a scriptwriter on breakthrough dramas Winners & Losers and Sleeping Dogs, while his white-clad alter ego Neville Purvis graced both cabaret stages and a short-lived TV series. He passed away on 3 December 2019. 

He is a trained journalist, a much published poet, a stand-up comedian, a scriptwriter and the yoghurt man in the TV ad ... He also writes the material, for his own, his very own, creation — Neville Purvis, a sort of urban Fred Dagg, a cross between Dame Edna Everage and Ian Kirkpatrick, if you can imagine such a thing. Writer Tony Reid summarises the non-musical end of Arthur Baysting's career, The Listener, 25 February 1978, page 12

Thumbnail image for In Memoriam 2020

In Memoriam 2020

2020, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy

Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy

2019, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy (series promo)

Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy (series promo)

2019, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 3 - Let Us Entertain You

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 3 - Let Us Entertain You

2010, Subject - Television

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Struggle No More

2006, Subject - Film

Thumbnail image for The Underwatermelon Man and Other Unreasonable Rhymes

The Underwatermelon Man and Other Unreasonable Rhymes

2006, Composer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Hinewehi Mohi

Making Music - Hinewehi Mohi

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Moana Maniapoto

Making Music - Moana Maniapoto

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Te Waihanga Pūoro

Making Music - Te Waihanga Pūoro

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Warren Maxwell

Making Music - Warren Maxwell

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - P-Money

Making Music - P-Money

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Bill Lake

Making Music - Bill Lake

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Chris Knox

Making Music - Chris Knox

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Don McGlashan

Making Music - Don McGlashan

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Fat Freddy's Drop

Making Music - Fat Freddy's Drop

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Goodshirt

Making Music - Goodshirt

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Jordan Luck

Making Music - Jordan Luck

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Mika

Making Music - Mika

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Nesian Mystik

Making Music - Nesian Mystik

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - SJD

Making Music - SJD

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - The Black Seeds

Making Music - The Black Seeds

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Whirimako Black

Making Music - Whirimako Black

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Deceptikonz

Making Music - Deceptikonz

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Making Music - James and Donald Reid (The Feelers)

Making Music - James and Donald Reid (The Feelers)

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

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Making Music - Wayne Mason

2005, Director, Producer - Short Film

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Bogans

2004, As: Man Wanting Map Back - Short Film

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The Making of Smash Palace

2004, Subject - Short Film

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Swearing

2004, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for The Making of Sleeping Dogs

The Making of Sleeping Dogs

2004, Subject - Short Film

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Sweet As

1999, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Through the Eyes of Love

Through the Eyes of Love

1998, Subject - Television

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Ten Guitars

1996, Subject - Television

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Bradman

1993, As: Umpire - Short Film

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Strictly Acappella

1993, Writer, Music Coordinator - Television

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Undercover

1991, Writer - Television

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Cowboys of Culture

1990, Subject - Television

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Space Knights

1989, Writer - Television

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Public Eye

1988 - 1989, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for That's Fairly Interesting

That's Fairly Interesting

1987 - 1989, Research - Television

Thumbnail image for That's Fairly Interesting - Series One, Episode 13

That's Fairly Interesting - Series One, Episode 13

1987, Research - Television

Thumbnail image for The Neville Purvis Family Show

The Neville Purvis Family Show

1979, Creator , Writer, As: Neville Purvis - Television

Thumbnail image for The Neville Purvis Family Show - Episode

The Neville Purvis Family Show - Episode

1979, As: Neville Purvis, Writer, Creator - Television

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Radio Waves

1978, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Mad Dog Gang Meets Rotten Fred and Ratsguts (TV movie)

The Mad Dog Gang Meets Rotten Fred and Ratsguts (TV movie)

1978, Writer - Television

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Sleeping Dogs

1977, Writer - Film

Thumbnail image for Winners & Losers: After the Depression

Winners & Losers: After the Depression

1976, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Winners & Losers: A Great Day

Winners & Losers: A Great Day

1976, Writer - Television