Ernie Leonard
Ernie Leonard (1931 – 15, July 1994) was a New Zealand television presenter, wrestling commentator, and actor. He was well known to wrestling fans.
Background
Leonard was born in Marton, New Zealand in 1931. The son of an Anglican minister, he was of Ngāti Rangiwewehi and Rangitane descent.[1][2] Along with Steve Rickard, he co-hosted and commented for the wrestling show, On the Mat.[3][4] During his career, he worked with people such as producer Ngaire Fuata.[5] In 1986, he recruited Whai Ngata to start up the Māori department on Television New Zealand.[6]
Acting roles
In 1966 Leonard appeared in the film Don't Let It Get You, which was directed by John O'Shea.[7][8] At the time, Leonard was employed as the public relations officer in Rotorua.[9]
Leonard played the part of Charlie Rata, a core character in the ground-breaking TV series Pukemanu, which ran from 1971 to 1972.[10][11]
Television
Leonard secured the position of head of the Maori Programmes Department for TVNZ during the mid-1980s. He was first person to hold that position.[12] In 1982 he became producer on Koha the TVNZ programme on Māori culture and history.[1]
He worked on two films about the exhibition Te Maori which showcased Māori art in New York in 1984: Koha - Te Māori Guard, New York and Koha - Te Māori, a Cloak of Words.[13][14]
Death
Leonard died at age 62 on 15 July 1994 following a short battle with cancer.[15]
Filmography
Actor
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Don't Let It Get You | Himself | Feature film[16] |
| 1971-72 | Pukemanu | Charlie Rata | TV series[17] |
| 1975-81 | On The Mat | Presenter | TV wrestling show (also producer 1981-84)[18] |
| 1984 | A Big Country presents Kiwis | Himself | TV documentary series[19][20] |
Crew
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Radio Wha Waho | Executive Producer | TV comedy series[21][22] |
References
- ^ a b NZ On Screen - Ernie Leonard, Biography
- ^ Ngā Aho Whakaari - Chapter Two: Māori and the Screen Industry by NgāAho Whakaari Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Radio New Zealand, 7 April 2015 - Michael Cropp
- ^ NZ Wrestling New Zealand Wrestling History Part 5 - Dave Cameron Archived 18 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Public Broadcasting Service MA, ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS, Ngaire Fuata, Producer Archived 5 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Scoop, Monday, 4 April 2016 Poroporoaki: Whai Ngata
- ^ New Zealand Filmmakers, By Ian Conrich, Stuart Murray Page 62 Laurence Simmons
- ^ Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision - Events→ Don’t Let it Get You Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ New Zealand Filmmakers, edited by Ian Conrich, Stuart Murray - Page 62
- ^ NZ On Screen - Pukemanu, Television, 1971–1972, Credits
- ^ New Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change, By Trisha Dunleavy, Hester Joyce - Page 54 to 56
- ^ Teara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Story: Māori and television – whakaata, Pukemanu, 1971
- ^ NZ On Screen. "Koha - Te Māori Guard, New York". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ NZ On Screen. "Koha - Te Māori, a Cloak of Words". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ NZ On Screen - Ernie Leonard, Biography
- ^ Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision - Events→ Don’t Let it Get You Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ New Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change, By Trisha Dunleavy, Hester Joyce - Page 54 to 56
- ^ Imdb - Ernie Leonard
- ^ BFI - Kiwis (1984)
- ^ Canberra Times, Apr 23 1984 - Page 1 'A Big Country goes overseas
- ^ BFI - Kiwis (1984)
- ^ NZ on Screen - Radio Wha Waho, Television, 1993