Leading figure in Maori Theatre leaves Us

Issued by Playmarket Monday April 16

Media Release

Leading figure in Maori Theatre leaves Us

In his mihi at the beginning of He Reo Hou: Five Plays by Maori Playwrights, published by Playmarket in 1991, Don Selwyn commented “without the writer we have no theatre – no film – no vehicle for a wider range of creative talents to contribute”. The same could be said of a producer and advocate like Don Selwyn.

As recently as 2003 Selwyn had founded Auckland’s Koanga Maori Theatre Company and the company produced and toured plays by Rena Owen and Hone Tuwhare in 2004 and 2005.

Playmarket, New Zealand’s playwrights agency and development organisation, was saddened to hear of the passing of Don Selwyn on Friday April 13, aged 71. Selwyn was a remarkable advocate, developer and practitioner in theatre, film and television and in particular Maori’s place within it. He will be greatly missed and will continue to be a great example and inspiration to future generations of arts practitioners. Up until his death Selwyn was a supporter and advocate for emerging Maori playwrights and actors and played an important role in the development of contemporary Maori theatre.

Don Selwyn had been selected this year as a recipient of the Arts Foundation's prestigious Icon Award, which was to be announced at a ceremony later this year for his significant contributions as an actor, producer and director. As the Foundation reported, Selwyn (Ngati Kuri and Te Aupouri) had a longstanding and distinguished career in the New Zealand theatre, film and television industry. He was a leading proponent of Maori
drama, performing in both Maori and English, and a prime mover in encouraging respect for Maori viewpoints and culture in mainstream New Zealand drama.

He was awarded the New Zealand Honours Award Officer of NZ Merit (ONZM) and honorary doctorates at Waikato University, Unitec and Massey University. His recent productions included the feature film and theatre production of The Maori Merchant of Venice. Selwyn received TeTohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi, an award presented annually by Te Waka Toi for outstanding contributions to the development of Maori arts.

ENDS

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