Wade Doak
Described by New Zealand Geographic as the "doyen of New Zealand diving", Wade Doak was an author, marine ecologist and conservationist. Along with Kelly Tarlton he was a pioneer of underwater exploration and filming in Aotearoa. Behind and in front of the camera, he contributed to documentaries for Wild South and production company NHNZ, and showcased Aotearoa’s undersea world to wide audiences.
Lynton Diggle
Lynton Diggle spent almost 25 years working as a director and cameraman for the government's National Film Unit, before launching his own company. Along the way, he filmed in Antarctica and the waters of Lake Taupō, captured major salvage operations at sea, and worked alongside legendary director David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia). Diggle passed away on 23 November 2018.
Clarke Gayford
After graduating from New Zealand Broadcasting School, Clarke Gayford created student show Cow TV. Presenting gigs followed for music channel C4, United Travel Getaway, and Extraordinary Kiwis. In 2016 he swapped his microphone for a speargun to launch Fish of the Day, a Choice TV show about his lifelong passion. In 2017 Gayford became NZ’s 'first bloke', when partner Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister.
Neville Copland
Neville Copland began learning keyboards in Southland at the age of six, later studying Music with Honours at Otago University. After a gig in 1986 as music director for Play School, he plunged into a prolific composing career for TV, including many NHNZ docos which have screened internationally. In 2011 Copland was nominated for an Aotearoa Film Award for his first feature score: The Insatiable Moon.
Roger Simpson
With Hunter's Gold, Gather Your Dreams and Children of Fire Mountain, Roger Simpson blazed a successful trail for Kiwi drama shows aimed at a younger audience. Though he has written further New Zealand projects, Simpson relocated to Australia in the early 70s. Since then he has written and produced on a long run of television dramas, most often alongside producing partner Roger Le Mesurier.
Mina Mathieson
Director and producer Mina Mathieson’s kete of screen credits packs in everything from Marae DIY to the National Māori Weaponry School, from karanga to helping kick off the Rugby World Cup on TV. Mathieson trained at NZ Broadcasting School and set up production company m3media to showcase indigenous storytelling. She followed NZ Natives rugby short Warbrick with co-producing Māori musical odyssey movie The Pā Boys.