CarmenJ Leonard
- Producer (te arawa
- Rangitāne)
Television runs in veteran producer Carmen J Leonard’s blood — her father was legendary Māori producer Ernie Leonard. Following in her dad's footsteps, Leonard has worked across many areas of the industry: from floor managing and first assistant directing, to producing drama and documentaries, including Outrageous Fortune, international hit The Casketeers, Erebus: Operation Overdue and 2019's Runaway Millionaires.
Image Credit: Photo by Getty Images © 2018 NZ TV Awards
Screenography
Biography
Carmen J Leonard’s earliest memories are steeped in television. She was “dragged" into the old Shortland Street TV studios in Auckland many a time by her dad, lauded TV producer Ernie Leonard. He was pivotal in the development of Māori representation on New Zealand television — a key player in launching and leading TVNZ's Māori Programmes department, and famous for presenting hit 1970s wrestling show On the Mat.
Awards
2020 New Zealand Television Awards
Nominated for Best Original Reality Series (with Philip Smith, Annabelle Lee-Mather and Susan Leonard): The Casketeers - Season 3
Best Feature Drama (shared with Deb Cope and Danny Mulheron): Runaway Millionaires
Best Drama Series (shared with Philip Smith and Deb Cope): One Lane Bridge
“His dream was to have the Māori language and Māori programmes in mainstream prime time and he never achieved that. But we [sister Susan] have, with The Casketeers.”