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Ernie Leonard

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Ernie Leonard (1931 – 15, July 1994) was a New Zealand television presenter, wrestling commentator, and actor. He was well known to wrestling fans.

Background

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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

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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

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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

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Leonard died at age 62 on 15 July 1994 following a short battle with cancer.[15]

Filmography

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Actor

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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

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Year Title Role Type
1993 Radio Wha Waho Executive Producer TV comedy series[21][22]

References

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  1. ^ Jump up to: a b NZ On Screen - Ernie Leonard, Biography
  2. ^ Ngā Aho Whakaari - Chapter Two: Māori and the Screen Industry by NgāAho Whakaari Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Radio New Zealand, 7 April 2015 - Michael Cropp
  4. ^ NZ Wrestling New Zealand Wrestling History Part 5 - Dave Cameron Archived 18 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Public Broadcasting Service MA, ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS, Ngaire Fuata, Producer Archived 5 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Scoop, Monday, 4 April 2016 Poroporoaki: Whai Ngata
  7. ^ New Zealand Filmmakers, By Ian Conrich, Stuart Murray Page 62 Laurence Simmons
  8. ^ Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision - Events→ Don’t Let it Get You Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ New Zealand Filmmakers, edited by Ian Conrich, Stuart Murray - Page 62
  10. ^ NZ On Screen - Pukemanu, Television, 1971–1972, Credits
  11. ^ New Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change, By Trisha Dunleavy, Hester Joyce - Page 54 to 56
  12. ^ Teara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Story: Māori and television – whakaata, Pukemanu, 1971
  13. ^ NZ On Screen. "Koha - Te Māori Guard, New York". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  14. ^ NZ On Screen. "Koha - Te Māori, a Cloak of Words". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  15. ^ NZ On Screen - Ernie Leonard, Biography
  16. ^ Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision - Events→ Don’t Let it Get You Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ New Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change, By Trisha Dunleavy, Hester Joyce - Page 54 to 56
  18. ^ Imdb - Ernie Leonard
  19. ^ BFI - Kiwis (1984)
  20. ^ Canberra Times, Apr 23 1984 - Page 1 'A Big Country goes overseas
  21. ^ BFI - Kiwis (1984)
  22. ^ NZ on Screen - Radio Wha Waho, Television, 1993
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