Profile image for Don Selwyn

Don Selwyn

Actor, Director [Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupōuri]

Don Selwyn, ONZM, was an actor, casting director and mentor to a host of talented Māori who went on to work in film and television. Selwyn’s long acting resume includes 1970s historical epic The Governor and police show Mortimer’s Patch. He also directed The Māori Merchant of Venice, the first feature film in te reo Māori. Selwyn died on 13 April 2007.

He saw both the dark and the light of what it means to be human. He told us about it, and what to do. Tainui Stephens

Thumbnail image for Hautoa Mā! The Rise of Māori Cinema

Hautoa Mā! The Rise of Māori Cinema

2016, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Once Were Warriors - Where Are They Now?

Once Were Warriors - Where Are They Now?

2014, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 7 - Taonga TV

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 7 - Taonga TV

2010, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for The Making of Sleeping Dogs

The Making of Sleeping Dogs

2004, Subject - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Good Hands - Lima Lelei  - First Episode

Good Hands - Lima Lelei - First Episode

2003, Māori Consultant - Television

Thumbnail image for Good Hands - Lima Lelei

Good Hands - Lima Lelei

2003, Māori Consultant - Television

Thumbnail image for Aroha - He Pōraruraru

Aroha - He Pōraruraru

2002, English subtitles - Television

Thumbnail image for Aroha - Irikura

Aroha - Irikura

2002, As: Kahu, English subtitles - Television

Thumbnail image for Aroha - Mataora

Aroha - Mataora

2002, English subtitles - Television

Thumbnail image for Aroha - Tiare

Aroha - Tiare

2002, English subtitles - Television

Thumbnail image for Aroha - Haka and Siva

Aroha - Haka and Siva

2002, English subtitles - Television

Thumbnail image for Aroha - Te Ao Mahana

Aroha - Te Ao Mahana

2002, English subtitles - Television

Thumbnail image for Dalvanius

Dalvanius

2002, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for Mercury Lane

Mercury Lane

2001, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Crooked Earth

Crooked Earth

2001, Casting - Film

Thumbnail image for Greenstone

Greenstone

1999, Associate Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Greenstone - First Episode

Greenstone - First Episode

1999, Associate Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?

1999, Casting - Film

Thumbnail image for Duggan: Death in Paradise

Duggan: Death in Paradise

1997, As: Superintendent Tom Frykberg - Television

Thumbnail image for Tala Pasifika

Tala Pasifika

1996 - 2000, Executive Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Tala Pasifika - A Day in the Life

Tala Pasifika - A Day in the Life

1996, Executive Producer, Casting - Television

Thumbnail image for Tala Pasifika - Brown Sugar

Tala Pasifika - Brown Sugar

1996, Executive Producer, Casting - Television

Thumbnail image for Tala Pasifika - Malama

Tala Pasifika - Malama

1996, Executive Producer, Casting - Television

Thumbnail image for Broken English

Broken English

1996, Consultant - Māori Language and Culture - Film

Thumbnail image for Tala Pasifika - Talk of the Town

Tala Pasifika - Talk of the Town

1995, Executive Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Tala Pasifika - The Cat's Crying

Tala Pasifika - The Cat's Crying

1995, Executive Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Tala Pasifika - The Hibiscus

Tala Pasifika - The Hibiscus

1995, Executive Producer, Casting - Television

Thumbnail image for Billy T James - A Celebration

Billy T James - A Celebration

1995, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Mananui

Mananui

1995, Drama Consultant - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Peach

Peach

1995, As: Grocer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Marlin Bay - Series Three, Episode 11

Marlin Bay - Series Three, Episode 11

1994, As: Tom Burrows - Television

Thumbnail image for Once Were Warriors

Once Were Warriors

1994, Casting Director - Film

Thumbnail image for The Last Tattoo

The Last Tattoo

1994, As: Bill Davin - Film

Thumbnail image for Te Marae - A Journey of Discovery

Te Marae - A Journey of Discovery

1992, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for A Whale's Tale

A Whale's Tale

1992, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for Marlin Bay

Marlin Bay

1992 - 1994, As: Tom Burrows - Television

Thumbnail image for Pounamu - Āpirana Ngata 1874 - 1950

Pounamu - Āpirana Ngata 1874 - 1950

1990, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for How D'ye Do Mr Governor

How D'ye Do Mr Governor

1989, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for The Champion - First Episode

The Champion - First Episode

1989, As: Bob Davies - Television

Thumbnail image for E Tipu e Rea - Variations on a Theme

E Tipu e Rea - Variations on a Theme

1989, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Gordon Bennett

Gordon Bennett

1989, As: First driver - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Mauri

Mauri

1988, As: Old Cop, Production Supervisor - Film

Thumbnail image for Never Say Die

Never Say Die

1988, Casting - Film

Thumbnail image for Steel Riders - Bloodstones (First Episode)

Steel Riders - Bloodstones (First Episode)

1987, As: Mr Enderby, As: Voice of The Spook - Television

Thumbnail image for Steel Riders

Steel Riders

1987, As: Mr Enderby, As: Voice of Spook - Television

Thumbnail image for Te Māori - A Celebration of the People and their Art

Te Māori - A Celebration of the People and their Art

1985, Narrator - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Came a Hot Friday

Came a Hot Friday

1984, As: Norm Cray - Film

Thumbnail image for Mesmerized

Mesmerized

1984, As: Joseph - Film

Thumbnail image for Mortimer's Patch - Nothing Changed (Series Three, Episode Six)

Mortimer's Patch - Nothing Changed (Series Three, Episode Six)

1984, As: Sergeant Bob Storey - Television

Thumbnail image for Kaleidoscope - Bruce Mason 1921-1982

Kaleidoscope - Bruce Mason 1921-1982

1983, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for The Lost Tribe

The Lost Tribe

1983, As: Sergeant Swain - Film

Thumbnail image for Loose Enz - The Protesters

Loose Enz - The Protesters

1982, As: Toki - Television

Thumbnail image for Goodbye Pork Pie

Goodbye Pork Pie

1981, As: Policeman in Kaitaia - Film

Thumbnail image for Mortimer's Patch - Day of Judgement (First Episode)

Mortimer's Patch - Day of Judgement (First Episode)

1980, As: Sergeant Bob Storey - Television

Thumbnail image for Mortimer's Patch

Mortimer's Patch

1980 - 1984, As: Sergeant Bob Storey - Television

Thumbnail image for People Like Us

People Like Us

1978 - 1981, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Death of the Land

Death of the Land

1978, Actor - Television

Thumbnail image for The Governor

The Governor

1977, Māori Liaison - Television

Thumbnail image for The Governor 4 - He Iwi Ko Tahi Tatou / Now We Are One People (Episode Four)

The Governor 4 - He Iwi Ko Tahi Tatou / Now We Are One People (Episode Four)

1977, Māori Liaison , As: Wiremu Pare Te Kanawa Tāmihana - Television

Thumbnail image for The Governor 5 - The Lame Seagull (Episode Five)

The Governor 5 - The Lame Seagull (Episode Five)

1977, As: Wiremu Tāmihana - Television

Thumbnail image for Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs

1977, As: Ben Taupiri - Film

Thumbnail image for The Governor 1 - The Reverend Traitor (First Episode)

The Governor 1 - The Reverend Traitor (First Episode)

1977, Māori Liaison - Television

Thumbnail image for The Making of The Governor

The Making of The Governor

1977, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Epidemic - Hemi Te Koaka (First Episode)

Epidemic - Hemi Te Koaka (First Episode)

1976, As: Sam Potare - Television

Thumbnail image for Moynihan

Moynihan

1976 - 1977, As: Ben Ngata - Television

Thumbnail image for Winners & Losers: Big Brother, Little Sister

Winners & Losers: Big Brother, Little Sister

1976, As: Pera - Television

Thumbnail image for Rangi's Catch

Rangi's Catch

1973, As: Mr Rukahia (Rangi's father) - Film

Thumbnail image for Pukemanu

Pukemanu

1971 - 1972, Actor - Television

Thumbnail image for NZBC Actors' Workshops

NZBC Actors' Workshops

1967, Subject - Television