Pavlova Paradise Revisited - First Episode

Before he was a British MP Austin Mitchell spent time downunder, where he was a well known NZBC broadcaster in the 1960s. In 1972 he finished bestselling book The Half Gallon Quarter Acre Pavlova Paradise, a satirical commentary on all things Kiwi. In the first part of this three-part series, Mitchell returns south to clock the changes. He begins at Otago University, where he lectured in the 60s, and notes a new Pākehā view of their history. Mitchell then talks wine with actor Sam Neill in Central Otago, and en route to Christchurch meets some uniquely 'mainland' entrepreneurs.

Cook discovered New Zealand, I discovered my pavlova paradise and now I’m going back there to see how it’s changed 40 years on.

– Austin Mitchell

Key Cast & Crew

Linda McDougall

Producer

Sam Neill

Subject

Greg Johnson (musician)

Composer

Austin Mitchell

Presenter

Pat Butler

Editor

Ken Morse

Rostrum Camera