John Terris

John Terris, QSO, moved from radio into television when the new medium hit New Zealand in the early 60s. Starting as a continuity announcer, he went behind the scenes, directing on the first seasons of TV staples Country Calendar and Town and Around. In 1978 the one time Hutt City mayor began 12 years as Labour MP for Western Hutt, including time as the deputy speaker. These days Terris heads advocacy group Media Matters.

Miracles were wrought with the proverbial piece of Number 8 wire. Sets that collapsed, aeroplane sounds penetrating the studio during Victorian dramas, the unmistakable print of an exercise shoe on a trail supposed to have been used only by pre-European Māori – these are screen moments I cherish. John Terris on the early days of television, in his book Being Who You Are