Ken Douglas: Traitor or Visionary?

This 2006 documentary is a portrait of one of New Zealand politics' most contradictory figures: unionist Ken Douglas. At the time of filming Douglas occupied numerous board positions (eg Air New Zealand, the NZ Rugby Football Union), but early on he was a truckie and Marxist. Rob Muldoon branded him 'Red Ken'. For 15 years until 1999 he led the Council of Trade Unions. Directed by Monique Oomen for Top Shelf Productions, the film is framed around interviews with Douglas and his colleagues, and asks whether he is a turncoat or a strategic realist moving with the times.

Probably our [the Socialist Unity Party's] most successful recruiter ...

– Ken Douglas's description of Prime Minister Robert Muldoon

Key Cast & Crew

Vincent Burke

Producer

Monique Oomen

Director

Grant Tilly

Narrator

Jude Callen

Network Executive

Grant Taylor

Sound Mix

Luis G Portillo

Online Editor