New Zealand actor, writer, producer and director Sam Neill is the recipient of the 2019 Equity New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award, Presented by Ryman Healthcare.

Sam was nominated for this award by New Zealand performers and selected by the board of Equity New Zealand.

“Sam’s career as an actor is remarkable, but what makes this award so special is that it recognises much more than career success,” says Equity NZ president Jennifer Ward-Lealand.

“It acknowledges those members of our industry who give back at every opportunity, who strive to use their influence for important causes and who continually inspire their peers with their good will and humility. Sam leads by example. This award pays tribute to who he is as a person, as much it does his extraordinary talent.”

Internationally-recognised for his contribution to film and television, Sam Neill has more than 75 films and over 45 television programs to his credit. He is a passionate supporter of many environmental and social justice causes and has been a proud union member since joining Equity in 1979.

Sam made his film debut in Roger Donaldson’s Sleeping Dogs and his feature breakthrough in a starring role opposite Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career. The two films that subsequently brought him international stardom and acclaim were writer/director Jane Campion’s The Piano and Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. In 2016 he starred in the New Zealand-made film Hunt for the Wilderpeople, directed by Taika Waititi. Recent features include Sweet Country, Ride Like a Girl and Palm Beach.

His work in television inlcudes Reilly, Ace of Spies, Merlin , The Tudors , Crusoe, Happy Town, Alcatraz, Peaky Blinders and ITV miniseries Tutankhamun. He has also presented and narrated several documentaries.

Ryman Healthcare, New Zealand’s largest retirement village operator, has supported the Equity Lifetime Achievement Award since its inception five years ago. Previous recipients include; Elizabeth McRae, Dame Kate Harcourt, Ken Blackburn and George Henare.

Ryman Chief Executive Gordon MacLeod said he was delighted to see Sam honoured as the most recent recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. “He’s an incredibly talented New Zealander, and we’re proud of him. Well done Sam.’’
Sam will be honoured at an awards ceremony in Auckland in November.

Sam will receive his award at a ceremony in Auckland in November.

The Equity Foundation and Equity New Zealand thank Ryman Healthcare for their support of this award.

Equity New Zealand is thrilled to announce that George Henare is the recipient of the 2018 Equity NZ Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by Ryman Healthcare.

During a distinguished career spanning 50 years, George has been seen on stage, film, and television, and heard on radio and talking book.

On stage George has played everyone from Ratty, Dracula and Snoopy to Lear, Lenin and Caesar. On screen, his extensive resume spans 70s TV landmark The Governor, 90s classic Once Were Warriors, and an award-winning role on 2010's Kaitangata Twitch.

George has been touring Australia since 2016 playing Sultan in Disney’s hit musical theatre production Aladdin.

George was nominated for this award by New Zealand performers and selected by the board of Equity New Zealand.

Equity NZ President Jennifer Ward-Lealand described George as pure delight to watch and work with: “As a performer he leads by example; hard working, diligent, consistent, imaginative and versatile. As a member of the community George is engaged, passionate and principled.

As well as his impressive body of work in Australia and New Zealand, his generosity and good humour are legendary. Also, he’s always the first to volunteer for a fundraising event! A very well-deserved accolade for a leading light of our industry”.

Since its inception, the Equity New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award has been made possible with the generous support of Ryman Healthcare. Previous recipients include Elizabeth McRae, Dame Kate Harcourt and Ken Blackburn.

Ryman Healthcare Chief Executive Gordon MacLeod said George Henare had brought huge pleasure to audiences over many decades. “George is a New Zealand treasure and we’re absolutely delighted to be able to support this award for him. He thoroughly deserves it and the recognition it brings for his stellar career.’’

George will be honoured at an awards ceremony in Auckland in October.

The Equity Foundation and Equity New Zealand thanks Ryman Healthcare for their support of this award.

New Zealand’s arts and entertainment community gathered at the Q Theatre last night to honor actor Ken Blackburn, recipient of 2017 Equity Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by Ryman Healthcare.

The awards ceremony featured a star studded line-up of tributes, speeches and performances from the likes of Roger Hall, Tony Barry, Emma Sloman, Danny Mulheron, Michael Hurst, Elizabeth McRae, Ian Mune, Rebekah Head, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Zak Enayat.

Equity president Jennifer Ward-Lealand said the evening was a wonderful event befitting Ken’s illustrious career.  “Ken Blackburn has inspired so many artists and audiences with his performances on screen and stage. He is also an incredibly talented director and writer.  It was a real treat to look back on all he has achieved - and still is - since he began his acting career in 1963. A huge thank you to the many musicians, performers, family, friends and Ryman Healthcare for making last night possible”.

In an impressively wide-ranging career spanning more than 40 years Ken has worked in film, television, radio and theatre. Many of his peers took the opportunity to remark not only on Ken’s skill and dedication to his craft, but also his kind nature and good humor.

Ken was nominated by New Zealand performers and selected by the board of Equity New Zealand.

The Equity Lifetime Achievement Award was established by the Equity Foundation in 2015 with the generous support of Ryman Healthcare. Past recipients include Elizabeth McRae and Dame Kate Harcourt. For further information about the Equity Foundation visit http://www.equityfoundation.org.au/

(Image: Amanda Billing)

Equity New Zealand welcomes the Government’s announcement that they will repeal an ill-considered and unnecessary law introduced in 2010 in a bid to strip actors and other film workers of basic employment rights. This move is a clear vote of confidence in New Zealand's world-class screen industry.

The Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment Act 2010 was rushed through Parliament, classifying all film workers as "independent contractors", unable to bargain collectively and receive other benefits associated with being an employee.

At the time Labour and Green Party MPs voted against the bill, accusing the government of relenting to a foreign company and abusing parliamentary process.

“This is a law that is deeply unfair for workers, so it is wonderful to see our new Government make its repeal a priority” said Equity New Zealand president Jennifer Ward-Lealand.

Ward-Lealand said the Government’s announcement demonstrates a genuine commitment to creating and supporting employment conditions that are fair and equitable.

“The repeal of this law is a step in the right direction but much more needs to be done to enable collective bargaining in our industry, as is the case in every other major film industry in the western world.”

Ward-Lealand said the alleged purpose of this law was to create certainty, but it did just the opposite.

“One of the best ways to create certainty around employment conditions – for both employees and employers – is to have collective agreements that very clearly outline wages and conditions.” said Ward-Lealand.

“We look forward to working with Prime Minister Ardern and her team to create a thriving arts and entertainment industry that still manages to treat its workers with dignity and respect.

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Equity New Zealand is thrilled to announce that Ken Blackburn ONZM is the recipient of the 2017 Equity Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Ryman Healthcare.

In an impressively wide-ranging career spanning more than 40 years Ken has worked in film, television, radio and theatre. 

Ken has appeared in many of New Zealand’s most iconic TV shows including Xena: Warrior Princess, Farscape, Close To Home, Gliding On and Shortland Street.  His film credits include pioneering feature Skin Deep, The Frighteners, King Kong and Rest for the Wicked. Ken’s stage credits are also extensive. In 1999 his performance as Vladimir in Waiting for Godot earned him the Best Actor award at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. In 2005 he was awarded the Queen's Birthday Honours List for Services to the Performing Arts. Ken most recently performed in Circa Theatre’s 2017 production of Three Days in the Country. As well as his successful career as an actor in New Zealand, the UK and Australia, Ken has also directed stage, film, television and radio productions. His autobiographical book Blitz Kids was published by the BBC in 1995.

Equity President Jennifer Ward-Lealand says: “I cannot think of a more worthy recipient for this award than Ken Blackburn. Since the 1970s Ken has been gracing our screens and stages, delivering countless moving and memorable performances.  Ken’s name has come up time and time again during the nomination and section process for the Lifetime Achievement Award because he is such a beloved and respected member of our performer community.”

Ken was nominated by New Zealand performers and selected by the board of Equity New Zealand.

Since its inception, the Equity New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award has been made possible with the generous support of Ryman Healthcare. Previous recipients include Elizabeth McRae and Dame Kate Harcourt.

Ryman Healthcare chief executive Gordon MacLeod said it was great to see Ken rewarded for his many years of hard work and dedication to acting. “We’re delighted to see Ken achieve this recognition. His many characters – hapless, bumbling and sometimes downright sinister - have delighted generations of New Zealanders and he has made a huge contribution to TV, film and theatre in New Zealand. Congratulations Ken!’’

Ken will be honoured at an awards ceremony in Auckland in November. 

Is there someone you feel is a talented performer but also a great mentor and a supporter of the next generation?

Part of what makes this award so special it is that it is nominated by performers. Please take a few minutes to submit your nomination here.

Nominations close on Sunday, September 17, 2017. The final decision will be made by the Equity New Zealand Board.