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]

Death

Leonard died at age 62 on 15 July 1994 following a short battle with cancer.[13]

Filmography

Actor

Year Title Role Type
1966 Don't Let It Get You Himself Feature film[14]
1971-72 Pukemanu Charlie Rata TV series[15]
1975-81 On The Mat Presenter TV wrestling show (also producer 1981-84)[16]
1984 A Big Country presents Kiwis Himself TV documentary series[17][18]

Crew

Year Title Role Type
1993 Radio Wha Waho Executive Producer TV comedy series[19][20]

References

  1. ↑ NZ On Screen - Ernie Leonard, Biography
  2. ↑ Ngā Aho Whakaari - Chapter Two: Māori and the Screen Industry by NgāAho Whakaari
  3. ↑ Radio New Zealand, 7 April 2015 - Michael Cropp
  4. ↑ NZ Wrestling New Zealand Wrestling History Part 5 - Dave Cameron
  5. ↑ Public Broadcasting Service MA, ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS, Ngaire Fuata, Producer
  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 - Ernie Leonard, Biography
  14. ↑ Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision - Events→ Don’t Let it Get You Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ New Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change, By Trisha Dunleavy, Hester Joyce - Page 54 to 56
  16. ↑ Imdb - Ernie Leonard
  17. ↑ BFI - Kiwis (1984)
  18. ↑ Canberra Times, Apr 23 1984 - Page 1 'A Big Country goes overseas
  19. ↑ BFI - Kiwis (1984)
  20. ↑ NZ on Screen - Radio Wha Waho, Television, 1993
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