Skip to main content

MichaelMcDonald

  • Writer
  • Director
Michael-McDonald-PP.jpg

Michael McDonald’s TV career became a family affair when he and his sister Ginette unleashed suburban star Lynn of Tawa onto New Zealand audiences. McDonald began as a comedy writer, before moving into directing on programmes such as Fair Go, Country Calendar and Heartland. He wrote and directed 1990s series Visual Symphonies, and later produced powerful documentaries My Name is Jane and The Dark Side of the Moon. 

Screenography

1999 Producer Television
1996 Subject Television
1994 Director Television
1994 Director Television

Biography

The third day of March 1967 remains a special date for Michael McDonald. It was his first day at Victoria University, and the day he met future broadcaster and director Simon Morris, future ‘genius’ maths professor Rob Goldblatt and John Clarke — henceforth known as 'Nobby'. "How wonderful that year was...the best year of my life. We all unleashed each other". The trio were to remain firm lifetime friends.

“Country Calendar was a magnificent time. I was so privileged. We were given the opportunity to see and do things which most people rarely experience — kind of like royalty in that regard — droving cattle down Ninety Mile Beach, flying around in choppers…”

Michael McDonald on the perks of directing iconic series Country Calendar

Related images

FairGo_77.jpg
The original team behind Fair Go team: from left, reporter Gillian McGregor, Presenter Brian Edwards, lawyer Mike Camp (at back), director/researcher Michael McDonald, PA Anne Keating (in glasses), reporter Spencer Jolly, and at front right, producer Peter Morritt. Reporter Judith Fyfe and her spectacles are hidden behind McGregor.