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 Rangitāne descent.NZ On Screen - Ernie Leonard, BiographyNgā Aho Whakaari - Chapter Two: Māori and the Screen Industry by NgāAho Whakaari Along with Steve Rickard, he co-hosted and commentated for the wrestling show, On the Mat.Radio New Zealand, 7 April 2015 - Michael CroppNZ Wrestling New Zealand Wrestling History Part 5 - Dave Cameron During his career, he worked with people such as producer Ngaire Fuata.Public Broadcasting Service MA, ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS, Ngaire Fuata, Producer In 1986, he recruited Whai Ngata to start up the Māori department on Television New Zealand.Scoop, Monday, 4 April 2016 Poroporoaki: Whai Ngata
Acting roles In 1966 Leonard appeared in the film Don't Let It Get You, which was directed by John O'Shea.New Zealand Filmmakers, By Ian Conrich, Stuart Murray Page 62 Laurence SimmonsNgā Taonga Sound & Vision - Events→ Don’t Let it Get You At the time, Leonard was employed as the public relations officer in Rotorua.New Zealand Filmmakers, edited by Ian Conrich, Stuart Murray - Page 62
Leonard played the part of Charlie Rata, a core character in the ground-breaking TV series Pukemanu, which ran from 1971 to 1972.NZ On Screen - Pukemanu, Television, 1971–1972, CreditsNew Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change, By Trisha Dunleavy, Hester Joyce - Page 54 to 56
Television Leonard secured the position of head of the Maori Programmes Department for TVNZ during the mid-1980s. He was the first person to hold that position.Teara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Story: Māori and television – whakaata, Pukemanu, 1971 In 1982 he became the producer of Koha the TVNZ programme on Māori culture and history.
He worked on two films about the exhibition Te Maori which showcased Māori art in New York in 1984: Koha - Te Māori Guard, New York and Koha - Te Māori, a Cloak of Words.
Death Leonard died at age 62 on 15 July 1994 following a short battle with cancer.NZ On Screen - Ernie Leonard, Biography
Filmography
Actor Year Title Role Type 1966 Don't Let It Get You Himself Feature filmNgā Taonga Sound & Vision - Events→ Don’t Let it Get You 1971-72 Pukemanu Charlie Rata TV seriesNew Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change, By Trisha Dunleavy, Hester Joyce - Page 54 to 56 1975-81 On The Mat Presenter TV wrestling show (also producer 1981-84)Imdb - Ernie Leonard 1984 A Big Country presents Kiwis Himself TV documentary seriesBFI - Kiwis (1984)Canberra Times, Apr 23 1984 - Page 1 'A Big Country goes overseas
Crew Year Title Role Type 1993 Radio Wha Waho Executive Producer TV comedy seriesBFI - Kiwis (1984)NZ on Screen - Radio Wha Waho, Television, 1993
References