A man who will forever cast on long shadow on the development of the Maori film industry in New Zealand finished his final scene in North Shore hospital this afternoon.
After a bout of illness,actor, mentor and verteran film maker Don Selwyn, died leaving a huge legacy to a wealth of young talent he has nurtured over the years. He was 71.
In a statement earlier today, Bob Harvey,a long-time friend and Mayor of Waiatakere City said ...
“Don was a wonderful character actor- in fact one of this country’s finest. In later years he took to directing and producing and delivered some of New Zealand’s most memorable projects.”
“He was a mentor and inspiration for a generation of young Maori performers. He pioneered the way for the likes of (actors) Cliff Curtis and Temuera Morrison and I know that he took real pride in seeing young Maori take their culture onto the stage and screen.”
Don Selwyn lived in Massey, in Waitakere City, and in recent years performed with young musicians and performers at the Going West Literary Festival and at other local venues and events.
“Don was central to this City’s Maori Creative Strategy which is still being developed and I am truly sad that he will not see that project through to the end,” says Mayor Harvey.
“Not only Maori, but New Zealand as a whole has today lost a great man.”
