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Profile image for Ginette McDonald

Ginette McDonald

Actor, Producer, Director

Although Ginette McDonald is best known as the gormless, vowel-mangling girl-from-the-suburbs Lynn of Tawa, she is a woman of many parts. Alongside an extensive acting and presenting career, her work as producer and director spans three decades, and includes Peppermint Twist, Shark in the Park, and Maurice Gee classic The Fire-Raiser.

[Comedy] teeters dangerously between poignancy and laughter. It sort of sucks away the sadness. Sometimes the most tragic things make you laugh. Ginette McDonald, in her interview for 2019 TV series Funny As: The Story of NZ Comedy

Thumbnail image for Ginette McDonald - Funny As Interview
Interview

Ginette McDonald - Funny As Interview

Interview, 2019

Thumbnail image for Ginette McDonald: Fires, nymphomaniacs and Lynn of Tawa...
Interview

Ginette McDonald: Fires, nymphomaniacs and Lynn of Tawa...

Interview, 2010

Thumbnail image for Grafted

Grafted

2024, As: Neighbour - Film

Thumbnail image for The Rule of Jenny Pen

The Rule of Jenny Pen

2024, As: Sally Pile - Film

Thumbnail image for My Life is Murder - Silent Lights (Season 3, Episode 5)

My Life is Murder - Silent Lights (Season 3, Episode 5)

2022, As: Josie - Television

Thumbnail image for Talkback

Talkback

2021, As: Gretchen Atkinson - Web

Thumbnail image for Give Us a Clue - excerpt

Give Us a Clue - excerpt

2021, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Talkback - Excerpt

Talkback - Excerpt

2021, As: Gretchen Atkinson - 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 Seven Sharp - Ginette McDonald

Seven Sharp - Ginette McDonald

2013, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Rage

Rage

2011, As: Rhonda - Television

Thumbnail image for Sam Hunt: Purple Balloon and other stories

Sam Hunt: Purple Balloon and other stories

2010, Subject - Film

Thumbnail image for Darryn Exists

Darryn Exists

2010, As: Vivienne Elbackery - Short Film

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 5 - Telling Stories

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 5 - Telling Stories

2010, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 6 - A Sense of Identity

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 6 - A Sense of Identity

2010, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Separation City

Separation City

2009, As: Marriage Celebrant - Film

Thumbnail image for Rocked the Nation

Rocked the Nation

2008 - 2011, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Rocked the Nation - No 21: The New Zealand Accent

Rocked the Nation - No 21: The New Zealand Accent

2008, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Doves of War - Full Series

Doves of War - Full Series

2006, As: Rosa Falcone - Television

Thumbnail image for Who Laughs Last?

Who Laughs Last?

2006, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for New Zild - The Story of New Zealand English

New Zild - The Story of New Zealand English

2005, As: Lynn of Tawa - Television

Thumbnail image for Warts & All - Ginette McDonald à la Carte

Warts & All - Ginette McDonald à la Carte

2003, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for The Great TV3 Comedy Debate - Rugby, It's Only a Game

The Great TV3 Comedy Debate - Rugby, It's Only a Game

2002, Affirmative Team Leader - Television

Thumbnail image for P.A. for a Day

P.A. for a Day

2001, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for Dunnies Down Under

Dunnies Down Under

2001, Writer, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for P.A. for a Day - Helen Clark (Episode Three)

P.A. for a Day - Helen Clark (Episode Three)

2001, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for The Great TV3 Comedy Debate - We Need More Women on Top

The Great TV3 Comedy Debate - We Need More Women on Top

2001, Affirmative Team Leader - Television

Thumbnail image for Warts & All - Ginette McDonald Probes the Police

Warts & All - Ginette McDonald Probes the Police

2001, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for Strassman

Strassman

1999, Guest - Television

Thumbnail image for Duggan: Time and Tide

Duggan: Time and Tide

1999, As: Helen Davies - Television

Thumbnail image for Strassman - Series One, Episode Seven

Strassman - Series One, Episode Seven

1999, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for William Shatner's A Twist in the Tale

William Shatner's A Twist in the Tale

1998, As: Gypsy Rose - Television

Thumbnail image for Group Therapy

Group Therapy

1998, As: Cynthia Glass - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Ground Force

Ground Force

1998 - 2003, Presenter, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Double Booking

Double Booking

1998, Executive Producer - Comedy Playhouse Series - Television

Thumbnail image for Ground Force - First Episode

Ground Force - First Episode

1998, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for Trick or Treatment

Trick or Treatment

1998, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for William Shatner's A Twist in the Tale: The Magician

William Shatner's A Twist in the Tale: The Magician

1998, As: Gypsy Rose - Television

Thumbnail image for Kiwiana - Kiwi As

Kiwiana - Kiwi As

1997, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Ngā Wahine

Ngā Wahine

1997, Producer, Script Editor - Television

Thumbnail image for Beyond a Joke!

Beyond a Joke!

1996, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Kiwiana

Kiwiana

1996, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for The Hitch-Hiker

The Hitch-Hiker

1996, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for Once a Convent Girl

Once a Convent Girl

1995, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Dead Certs

Dead Certs

1995, As: Martha - Television

Thumbnail image for Face Value - A Real Dog

Face Value - A Real Dog

1995, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Face Value - Her New Life

Face Value - Her New Life

1995, Producer, As: Steph - Television

Thumbnail image for Face Value - House Rules

Face Value - House Rules

1995, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa - In Search of the Great New Zealand Male

Lynn of Tawa - In Search of the Great New Zealand Male

1994, As: Lynn of Tawa - Television

Thumbnail image for Dilemmas

Dilemmas

1993 - 1994, Panelist - Television

Thumbnail image for Dilemmas - 3 December 1993

Dilemmas - 3 December 1993

1993, Panelist - Television

Thumbnail image for Joyful and Triumphant

Joyful and Triumphant

1993, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Best of The Billy T James Collection

The Best of The Billy T James Collection

1992, Compilation Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Billy T James Collection - Episode Four

The Billy T James Collection - Episode Four

1992, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa - Red Nose Day

Lynn of Tawa - Red Nose Day

1991, As: Lynn of Tawa - Commercial

Thumbnail image for Visual Symphonies - Otago

Visual Symphonies - Otago

1991, As: Lynn of Tawa, Writer, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Visual Symphonies - The Outback

Visual Symphonies - The Outback

1991, Producer, Writer, As: Lynn of Tawa - Television

Thumbnail image for Magic Kiwis - Lynn & Fred

Magic Kiwis - Lynn & Fred

1990, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Don't Tell Me

Don't Tell Me

1989, Team Leader - Television

Thumbnail image for Don't Tell Me - First Episode

Don't Tell Me - First Episode

1989, Team Leader - Television

Thumbnail image for Shark in the Park - Lamb to the Slaughter (Series One, Episode Three)

Shark in the Park - Lamb to the Slaughter (Series One, Episode Three)

1989, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for The Champion - First Episode

The Champion - First Episode

1989, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Space Knights - The Golden Knight (First Episode)

Space Knights - The Golden Knight (First Episode)

1989, As: Lady Guinevere Galaxy - Television

Thumbnail image for Bert and Maisy - Christmas (She's Funny at the Moment, They Both Are)

Bert and Maisy - Christmas (She's Funny at the Moment, They Both Are)

1989, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Magic Kiwis

Magic Kiwis

1989 - 1991, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Shark in the Park

Shark in the Park

1989 - 1991, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for The Champion

The Champion

1989, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Variety Spectacular - A Night with the Stars

Variety Spectacular - A Night with the Stars

1989, As: Lynn of Tawa - Television

Thumbnail image for Bert and Maisy

Bert and Maisy

1988, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Peppermint Twist

Peppermint Twist

1987, Creator, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Peppermint Twist - Let's Limbo Some More

Peppermint Twist - Let's Limbo Some More

1987, Creator, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Fire-Raiser - Kitty Plays the Piano (Episode Three)

The Fire-Raiser - Kitty Plays the Piano (Episode Three)

1986, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Open House

Open House

1986 - 1987, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Open House - Shades of Blue

Open House - Shades of Blue

1986, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for The Fire-Raiser

The Fire-Raiser

1986, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Fire-Raiser (TV movie)

The Fire-Raiser (TV movie)

1986, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Gliding On - The Work Experience Scheme (Series Five, Episode Two)

Gliding On - The Work Experience Scheme (Series Five, Episode Two)

1985, Director, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa - Mitre 10

Lynn of Tawa - Mitre 10

1985, As: Lynn of Tawa - Commercial

Thumbnail image for Rabbiters Rest - Dust to Dust

Rabbiters Rest - Dust to Dust

1985, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Country GP

Country GP

1984 - 1985, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Country GP - Episode 22

Country GP - Episode 22

1984, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Pioneer Women - Ettie Rout

Pioneer Women - Ettie Rout

1983, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Pioneer Women

Pioneer Women

1983 - 1990, As: Hera Ngoungou, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Pioneer Women - Hera Ngoungou

Pioneer Women - Hera Ngoungou

1983, As: Hera Ngoungou - Television

Thumbnail image for Rabbiters Rest

Rabbiters Rest

1983 - 1985, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa Show - First Episode

Lynn of Tawa Show - First Episode

1982, As: Lynn of Tawa - Television

Thumbnail image for 1981 Royal Variety Performance

1981 Royal Variety Performance

1981, As: Lynn of Tawa - Television

Thumbnail image for Gliding On

Gliding On

1981 - 1985, Producer, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa

Lynn of Tawa

1980 - 1982, Writer, As: Lynn of Tawa - Television

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa - Special

Lynn of Tawa - Special

1980, As: Lynn of Tawa - Television

Thumbnail image for The Deep End - The Captain's Play

The Deep End - The Captain's Play

1980, Actor - Television

Thumbnail image for Good Day – The Judith Fyfe Celebrity Pot Roast Show

Good Day – The Judith Fyfe Celebrity Pot Roast Show

1979, As: Judith's School Chum - Television

Thumbnail image for All Things Being Equal - 22 September 1978 Episode

All Things Being Equal - 22 September 1978 Episode

1978, As: Kate - Television

Thumbnail image for Close to Home - Episode 300

Close to Home - Episode 300

1978, As: Shirley Pagett - Television

Thumbnail image for Close to Home

Close to Home

1975 - 1983, As: Shirley Paget, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Ready to Roll

Ready to Roll

1975 - 2001, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Pukemanu

Pukemanu

1971 - 1972, As: Diana Thorpe - Television

Thumbnail image for Pukemanu - Pukemanu Welcomes You (first episode)

Pukemanu - Pukemanu Welcomes You (first episode)

1971, As: Diana Thorpe - Television