The local entertainment industry pays tribute to the late John Barnett. 

Duncan Greive: ‘An extraordinary sense for what makes a compelling story’

It’s hard to wrap your mind around the contribution of John Barnett to New Zealand’s culture and media. It’s hard to even define his role, such was the vast extent of his influence. One friend describes him as a creative producer, which is true – he saw the kernel of opportunity and willed it into being, was not shy with an opinion but also had an extraordinary eye for talent, and knew how to deploy it. Yet it also is not nearly all he was.

His best-known public face was as the producer or executive producer of innumerable screen productions, most famously Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale, Shortland St, Outrageous Fortune, Whale Rider and Sione’s Wedding. It is genuinely unimaginable to think of our film and TV cultures without his contribution. 

He has an extraordinary sense for what makes a compelling story, and a deep conviction that what matters is that people see it. That last part led to him being a persistent critic of our industry bodies at times – but it always came from a place of believing that you really could make work for broad audiences while still satisfying the need to tell diverse stories. A cursory glance at his CV tells you that Māori, Pacific and pan-Asian storytellers all profoundly benefitted from his vision.

He set up and eventually sold South Pacific Pictures, easily the most significant and prolific production house in the country’s history. Few with any relationship to film or TV will fail to have a connection to Barnett and SPP. Yet along with his role in the screen business, he had parallel careers in other domains, each of which would have been more than enough for a whole lifetime. 

Within music, he commissioned Dave Dobbyn and Herbs to create Slice of Heaven, and helped rescue Dawn Raid from financial turmoil. He invested into Satellite Media, publishers of RipItUp and the hip hop magazine Back2Basics, and maker of a large catalogue of documentaries and producers of live broadcasts. His roots in publishing predate that – he invested into the NBR in the early 70s, and remained a director into the mid-80s. Later he helped set up OnFilm, Aotearoa’s screen production industry magazine. 

Screen remained an abiding passion – he developed Dark City: The Cleaner, which came out last year, one of the most ambitious local television productions in years. He was also deep into an adaptation of Nalini Singh’s fantasy epics, a project amongst the most ambitious he had ever attempted. There was a strong entrepreneurial streak in him – he was an investor into and director of Shift72, a major player in film streaming for festivals, and helped fund the disruptive art marketplace Artfull. This is a necessarily incomplete list – his accomplishments are so vast as to be almost impossible to catalogue.

I was fortunate to have gotten to know John well in recent years. He was among the most vital, driven, visionary businesspeople I’ve ever encountered. We had exchanged emails over the years, often when he thought I’d gotten something wrong, or been too soft on an issue (he was sometimes blunt and almost always right). In recent months we spent a fair bit of time together. I had pitched an idea to him, one he had taken an interest in, which meant he was in near-constant contact. 

In recent months we exchanged innumerable emails, calls and coffees, while he probed and pushed at the concept. On Friday he sent an email saying he’d met with someone from a multinational media company, offering to introduce us. The last message came through at almost 11 at night. That was completely routine, part of the profoundly moving gift of his spirit and intellect.

John Barnett was full of insight and the kind of belief which makes you run through walls. Just thinking about his energy is equal parts exhausting and inspiring. I would be one of literally hundreds of people waking up today and struggling to imagine our lives and this country without him in it. What follows are the recollections of a few of their number. / Duncan Greive, The Spinoff founder

Andy Murnane: ‘Triple OG’

John was a great man and a father figure for all in the entertainment community. A true entrepreneur, producer and believer in Pasifika and Māori stories, artists and music, he believed in us when no else did and gave us a lifeline at one of the toughest moments in our journey as Dawn Raid Records. John taught us the key of finding your audience and he also funded our dreams and ideas to take New Zealand music to the world – a dream we got to complete.  Thank you John, thank you for your service. My highest respect and love to an incredible man and legend: Triple OG BIG JOHN BARNETT / Andy Murnane, co-founder and CEO Dawn Raid Entertainment

Robbie Magasiva: ‘always a supporter of Polynesian artists’

It is a sad day… He was always a supporter of Polynesian artists and stories in a time where there were little brown faces in film and television. / Robbie Magasiva, actor

Andrew Szusterman: ‘The gruff producer exterior was exactly that — an exterior’

John was a mensch – a yiddish term for one that’s kind, has integrity, and is honourable and thoughtful.

At SPP, where so many who worked with him still work, we talk about John… sure, about how demanding he was but also how amazingly kind he was. At times, he looked after staff members’ young families, helped those in need through both personal and financial struggles, and above all, he cared deeply about their wellbeing. The gruff producer exterior was exactly that — an exterior. Underneath, he was a genuinely lovely and caring man.

The phone has been ringing non-stop today, we’ve been speaking with colleagues about John. I’ve mentioned multiple times how I believe John sparked a generation of film and TV makers. Outrageous Fortune alone proved that New Zealanders would flock – in droves – to watch a very New Zealand story. He played a part in ending our “cultural cringe”. Being a Westie is now worn as a badge of honour. John understood what it meant to take a creative dare when presented to him. 

His service to film and television was matched only by his service to the New Zealand Jewish community. A longtime board member and president of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation, being Jewish was a central part of his identity. No matter when the festivals fell, he made those days about reflection and prayer — because that’s what mensches do.

I wish John’s family long life at this difficult time. / Andrew Szusterman, managing director South Pacific Pictures

Michael Stiassny: ‘Half pie was simply not good enough’

John was so much to so many: film, community, start-ups, it did not matter. Whatever the case, his enthusiasm, his passion and his excitement was the same: 150% plus. He had his views and he held them dearly once made but, to his credit, he could be moved. You just needed to make sure you were up for the challenge and debate – it could be severe.

John found true happiness with Sarah and it was lovely to see albeit for such a short time. A true and loyal friend who will be missed by us all every single day. / Michael Stiassny, director Stiassny + Co

Adam Holt: ‘We’ve lost more than a titan of industry’

My relationship with John was one of life’s treasures – he was one of the smartest people I ever met, a true mentor and inspiration. He was a film man who deeply appreciated music, and the value it held and made an incredible contribution to the New Zealand music industry, in so many ways. Passionate about including New Zealand music and artists in his films, he helped create hits and careers and find new audiences for New Zealand artists. Over 40 years he supported so many people in the music business, financially, emotionally and creatively.

John was a rare sort of businessman that had creativity in his blood and in his bones. He was as vital and forward-looking last week as he was at the start of his career – inquisitive, dynamic and super ambitious to deliver for New Zealand’s creative sector. For John, there was no resting on his many laurels. We had breakfast together a couple of months ago, swapping notes on the changing film and music industries. He was passionate about driving industry change in a changing world and I walked away from our meeting, inspired once again by one of the sharpest minds I’ve ever known. We’ve lost more than a titan of industry, we’ve lost a true leader, a creative powerhouse and a good friend. Rest easy John. / Adam Holt, Universal Music 2001 – 2025

Simon Bennett: ‘He was a force of nature’

John could be infuriating, inflexible and naughty. He could also be passionate, loyal, funny, kind and caring. He was a force of nature, a wrecking-ball and a nurturer. He was rarely wrong.

John adored the industry he lived for – telling stories, reaching audiences and showing everyone time and again how the impossible could be achieved. I can’t think of anyone else I’ve known with his drive – the sense that once committed to making something happen, it was always going to happen. And on his terms too.

I worked with John on and off for over 30 years. Over the last 18 months I’ve been working closely with him on building the show designed to take on the world and take no prisoners – an adaptation of 18 paranormal romance novels by Nalini Singh. John was embracing this challenge with enormous joy and anticipation.

John’s sparkle, enthusiasm and childlike need to conquer all the dragons will stay with me always. / Simon Bennett, producer, director, writer

Simone Nathan: ‘His passion for storytelling guided his every move’

They say “you can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them,” and I believe John Barnett embodied this sentiment. To so many, John opened doors into an industry often said to be full, and he did so with generosity and an unwavering love for the game. His passion for storytelling guided his every move, and his presence carried an energy that made you feel lucky just to be near him. Mention a show or film, and John would light up, his enthusiasm filling the room. While his focus and clarity made him a giant in the industry, I believe his greatest gift was showing others what it looks like to live with true purpose.

I feel endlessly grateful that our paths crossed. Growing up in the New Zealand Jewish community, I would hound John for hints on upcoming Shortland Street storylines, and he would always smile and say, “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” He helped me land my first job and stayed in touch throughout my career, even supporting me through the creation of New Zealand’s first Jewish sitcom, Kid Sister. John cared deeply about the future of the arts, about fostering young voices, supporting original storytelling, and embracing diverse perspectives – long before such values were widely embraced. John will be sorely missed, and he leaves behind a screen industry in Aotearoa made richer by his presence and vision.

ז״ל (May his memory be a blessing) / Simone Nathan, creator of Kid Sister

Sue May: ‘A staunch supporter’