John Barnett has run South Pacific Pictures since 1993.
He began his career in the film and television industry as an independent producer in 1974, producing New Zealand’s first drama series filmed on location. Over the past 30 years, he has produced television drama, documentaries and feature films, including the Oscar-nominated and internationally acclaimed film Whale Rider, the feel-good Polynesian comedy Sione’s Wedding as well as Jubilee, starring Cliff Curtis; Middle Age Spread; Beyond Reasonable Doubt; Race for the Yankee Zephyr and the animated hit, Footrot Flats. He also served as Executive Producer on What Becomes Of The Broken-Hearted?, the sequel to Once Were Warriors.
John's most recent feature film is We're Here to Help, a Kafkaesque comedy based on the true story of one man’s David-and-Goliath battle with the biggest bureaucracy of all – the tax department. He wins, they lose!
Barnett has produced or executive produced four of the top six grossing New Zealand films at the New Zealand Box Office.
He has been active in the politics of the business throughout his career and was a founder of New Zealand’s industry magazine, OnFilm. He has also been actively involved in film, television and video distribution and in the development of multiplex cinemas in New Zealand.
In early 1998, he led a management buy-out of South Pacific Pictures and, together with Chrysalis Group PLC, became the owner of New Zealand’s largest film and television production company. In 1999 he moved the company into a new, purpose-built studio complex. South Pacific Pictures is currently owned by Barnett and All3Media, the leading UK media company.
John also set up Sundance Channel (NZ) – the first Sundance affiliated channel outside the United States.
John was on the Board of the New Zealand Film Commission until 2002. He is now a member of the Screen Production Industry Taskforce, part of a Government initiative to further develop the New Zealand film and television industry.
In November 2002, he was made the SPADA/OnFilm Industry Champion of the Year, for his ongoing contribution to the New Zealand industry; and in 2003 was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. This honour was awarded for Barnett’s services to the film industry.
In 2006 John was named Auckland Man of the Year by Metro magazine naming his contributions to South Pacific Productions such as Sione’s Wedding, Outrageous Fortune, Whale Rider and Shortland Street. Earlier in the year, in its 25th anniversary issue, the same magazine listed John among the 25 people who have shaped Auckland.
John also featured in the NZ Listener’s 2006 and 2007 Power List and was named among the NZ Herald’s 2006 New Zealanders of the Year and in May 2007 he will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Commerce degree from Wellington’s Victoria University for his contribution to the establishment of New Zealand’s growing film and television industry and its growing international reputation.
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