Shane Taurima
Shane Taurima began presenting Māori current affairs show Marae after 12 years reporting from the Parliamentary press gallery. On TV's Q+A his interviewees have ranged from John Key to Tariana Turia. In May 2013, three months after becoming TVNZ’s General Manager of Māori and Pacific Programmes, Taurima announced a bid to represent Labour in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti seat formerly occupied by late MP Parekura Horomia.
Shane Loader
Shane Loader has credits as editor, cameraman, producer, and writer/director (including Clermont-Ferrand selected short The Terrorist). Since 2008, alongside partner Andrea Bosshard, he has begun making and distributing feature films through filmmaking initiative Torchlight Films. The pair's third feature The Great Maiden's Blush won acclaim when it was released in 2016.
Shane Cortese
Wellington-born Shane Cortese spent a decade in the United Kingdom — much of it starring in stage musicals — before returning to Aotearoa, to play psycho Dominic Thompson in Shortland Street. Two years later he showed his dance prowess on Dancing with the Stars, then was tapped to play Loretta’s boyfriend on Outrageous Fortune. Next came three seasons as the lovelorn Mac, on quiz show drama Nothing Trivial. The talented all-rounder continues to sing (with his 8-Track Band) and act (The Brokenwood Mysteries). In 2017 he began working in Auckland real estate, to complement his acting work.
Andrea Bosshard
Alongside partner Shane Loader, Andrea Bosshard makes and distributes films through indie filmmaking initiative Torchlight Films. Dominion Post critic Graeme Tuckett called the pair's second feature Hook, Line and Sinker “likeable, admirable and hugely enjoyable”. Third feature The Great Maiden's Blush was released to acclaim — and awards — in 2016.
Sally Stockwell
Since graduating from drama school Toi Whakaari in 1995, Sally Stockwell has acted on television (Shortland Street, Insiders Guide to Happiness), stage (The Women, The Arrival), and in four features. Stockwell also sings and teaches voice.
Alister Barry
Alister Barry has been making intelligent and provocative documentaries for more than three decades. Barry's films reflect his longtime interest in how power is exercised in a democracy, and how the decisions of the powerful impact on ordinary people's lives.
Ray Columbus
Ray Columbus, OBE, began hosting television shows at the tender age of 19. After Columbus and the Invaders topped Australasian charts with 1964 single 'She's a Mod', Columbus spent time as a musician in America. The song was covered multiple times. He later returned to Aotearoa to resume a long career as recording artist, TV presenter and talent manager. Columbus passed away in late November 2016.
Dave Fraser
In the 1970s and 1980s, the multi-talented Dave Fraser brought his multiple musical talents to score everything from features and National Film Unit documentaries to television dramas and commercials. Image credit: Alexander Turnbull Library, 1/2-215042-F (Detail)
Katherine Kennard
Globe-trotting Brit Katherine Kennard began modelling in Asia as a teen. After moving to NZ she studied acting at Unitec; by 2005 she had done four seasons on Street Legal, co-starring as Jay Laga'aia's legal (and ex-romantic) partner Joni Collins. The role would win her a 2003 Television award. After time out from acting, Kennard returned to play a heroin addict in Underbelly, and ex-wife to Shane Cortese's character on Nothing Trivial.
Jeremy Macey
Jeremy Macey followed up studies in Russian and German and work as a Moscow ad man, by directing documentaries on Jewish folk music and the National Youth Choir. After a development role at the NZ Film Commission, he worked on short films including the Loading Docs short Gina and the Berlin Film Festival selected I’m Going to Mum’s. In 2011 he co-produced Shane Loader and Andrea Bosshard's second feature film Hook, Line and Sinker. He collaborated with the duo again in 2016 to produce The Great Maiden’s Blush, which would win Best Self-Funded Film at the New Zealand Film Awards.