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IanMune

  • Actor
  • Writer
  • Director
Ian-Mune-Key-Profile.jpg

Aside from being a talented and prolific actor, Sir Ian Mune has made behind-the-scenes contributions to many Kiwi screen landmarks. His writing career ranges from some of New Zealand's earliest television series to classic road movie Goodbye Pork Pie. His work as director includes Came a Hot Friday, The End of the Golden Weather and the hit sequel to Once Were Warriors, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?. In 2024 Mune was knighted for his services to film, television and theatre.

Screenography

Pike River
2025 As: Rocky Rockhouse Film
The Rule of Jenny Pen
2024 As: Howie Wicker Film
Night Freaks
2023 As: Pensioner Film
Stella
2023 As: Stanley Short film
The Twelve
2022 As: Bob Stephenson Series

Biography

Ian Mune, OBE, KNZM, and certified Television Legend, once described himself as a storyteller; that covers his impressively diverse career as well as any. Over six decades of acting, Mune has brought an authentically Kiwi voice to stage and screen. He has directed six movies and two telemovies, most of which he had a hand in writing. One became New Zealand's first big screen comedy hit; one was based on a play originally performed solo; another marked the country's first movie sequel.  

Awards

2024 Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM)
For services to film, television and theatre

2022 New Zealand Television Awards
Television Legend Award 
Best Actor: for The Pact

“I get very envious of the people who can just go on churning things out, but at the same time, I assiduously avoid getting into that situation.”

— Ian Mune in an interview with Listener writer Karen Jackman, 17 April 1976

Related images

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A 30th anniversary reunion for movie Sleeping Dogs: from left to right, associate producer Larry Parr, special effects man Geoff Murphy, actor/co-writer Ian Mune, actor Bernard Kearns, and Don Brash (who helped finance the film).
Photographer: Andrew Gorrie. Kindly provided by The Dominion Post
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Ian Mune in a scene from Sleeping Dogs.
Photo appears courtesy of the NZ Film Commission
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Geraldine Brophy and Ian Mune celebrate having won Best Actor and Best Actress for Home Movie in the 1998 New Zealand Film and Television Awards.
Kindly provided by Onfilm
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Paul Leach behind a Panaflex camera, alongside director Ian Mune; from the set of the 1984 film Came a Hot Friday.
Kindly supplied by Onfilm.
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Director Ian Mune on set with Peter Bland
© Mirage Films
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Some of the cast and crew on 1988 TV movie The Grasscutter. Director Ian Mune is smiling behind the clapper board. Actor Marshall Napier stands behind Mune, in white shirt and dark jacket. Wearing the dark swanndri on Mune's left is director of photography Matt Bowkett. On Mune's right, producer Tom Finlayson kneels in the striped shirt.
Photo supplied by Brian Walden
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A publicity shot taken for Winners & Losers episode Shining with the Shiner: The Shiner (Ivan Beavis, in check jacket) and the Honourable Mackay (Ian Mune, with fake eye) surrounded by their fellow swaggers. Actor Bernard Moody sits on the log at left, next to Harold Kissin, whose arm is resting on his leg.
Stills Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision. Courtesy of Carol Mitcheson
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Charlie (Ivan Beavis) and Mick (Ian Mune) on the case, watched by a prison guard (Bob Crockett). Taken from Winners & Losers episode A Lawful Excuse.
Stills Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision. Courtesy of Roger Donaldson Collection
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The Shiner (Ivan Beavis) takes a swig; the Honourable McKay keeps an eye out. From the Shining with the Shiner episode of 1976 series Winners & Losers.
Stills Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision. Unknown donor
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A behind the scenes shot taken during the filming of Winners & Losers episode Shining with the Shiner. From left to right, director Roger Donaldson, director/actor Ian Mune, sound recordist Craig McLeod, and cinematographer David Gribble.
Stills Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision. Unknown donor
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A behind the scenes photo taken in the Waitakeres in 1974, for The Woman at the Store. On horseback are actors Ilona Rodgers (obscured), Ian Mune and Jeremy Stephens.
Stills Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision. Courtesy of Ian Mune
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(From left to right) Actors Jeremy Stephens, Ian Mune and Ilona Rodgers in 1975 drama The Woman at the Store.
Stills Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision. Unknown donor