PETER HAYDEN MNZM:

Peter is a well-known theatre and screen actor.  Has also worked as a documentary narrator, host, writer, director and producer.  

Documentary: Peter worked with Dunedin based international doco. company NHNZ as writer, narrator, host, producer/ EP, Head of Development.

• Hosted/ wrote award winning Wild South and children’s series Wild Track; host/ wrote: Journey on Latitude 45, Journeys in National Parks.
• 1997 -2008 worked as Head of Development and Exec Producer.
• 2008 -2011 supervising producer of intl co-pro series, Life Force.

Theatre: Has taken roles mainly in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.  They include: The Sea, Oh Temperance, Marat/ Sade, Tales from Hollywood, Glorious Ruins, Oleanna, The Dolls House, The Importance of Being Earnest, Horseplay, Leah, The Daylight Atheist, The Raft, The Vertical Hour, Lysistrata, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Under the Mountain & Winding Up.

Movies include: Beyond Reasonable Doubt, Arriving Tuesday, Shaker Run, Footrot Flats; Illustrious Energy, Light Between the Oceans,  

Television drama roles include: Maurice Gee’s Fire Raiser, Cover Story, Hillary, Power Rangers, Dirty Laundry, Shortland Street, Brokenwood Mysteries, 800 Words, Kid Sister 1&2, Rurangi, Dark City 

Awards

 Best Television Presenter – Wildtrack. 

Best Writer Factual – Journeys in National Parks.

Emmy Nomination – EP, Writer - Buggin with Ruud.

Best Supporting Actor – Reverend Alex Don Illustrious Energy.

In 2017 awarded MNZM for services to film and television.

Background:

Peter grew up in Napier, educated at Marist Primary School, St John’s College.  Graduated with a BSc from Massey University 1972.

Graduated from the QE11 Arts Council Drama School 1973. Was apprentice actor at Downstage Theatre for 2 years. Joined TVNZ at Avalon Studios, Wellington as reporter/ director for Today at One and Country Calendar. Then director/ writer for TVNZ Documentary Unit.

1980, Dunedin writer, director with TVNZ Natural History Unit.  He played an ongoing and prominent role in the growth of NHNZ to become one of the most prestigious documentary production companies in the world.

Foreground:

Since 2011, Peter has refocused on his acting career.  He has taken prominent roles in theatre, television and movie productions.  He also runs a voice recording studio from home.

Peter and wife Jeannie (manager of Wild Dunedin Festival) live on a 22 hectare property at Portobello, Dunedin, where they farm ‘biodiversity’ and protect regenerating native forest.

"Whether on screen or stage; fiction or non fiction, I try to share good stories with the widest possible audience ... I also do my best to promote a vibrant and sustainable future for us all."

 

Location: Dunedin, New Zealand