Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald’s TV career became a family affair when he and his sister Ginette unleashed suburban star Lynn of Tawa onto New Zealand audiences. McDonald began as a comedy writer, before moving into directing on programmes such as Fair Go, Country Calendar and Heartland. He wrote and directed 1990s series Visual Symphonies, and later produced powerful documentaries My Name is Jane and The Dark Side of the Moon. 

Country Calendar was a magnificent time. I was so privileged. We were given the opportunity to see and do things which most people rarely experience — kind of like royalty in that regard — droving cattle down Ninety Mile Beach, flying around in choppers… Michael McDonald on the perks of directing iconic series Country Calendar