July 07, 2022
Wooster cleared path for Māori on screen
Māori broadcasting pioneer Derek Wooster died at his home near Otorohanga aged 77.
Mr Wooster, from Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maru, and Te Atiawa, started his working life as a teacher before joining Television New Zealand in 1979 as a production trainee.
He worked as a writer, reporter, director and producer, including steering the current affairs programme Marae for its first 17 years.
He was also an actor and director at Mercury Theatre and Fortune Theatre and was a founding member of the Māori screen guild Ngā Aho Whakaari.
Mr Wooster served on Māori incorporations and ahu whenua trusts throughout Te Rohe Pōtae, and represented Tainui on the Federation of Māori Authorities.
Derek Kōtuku Totorewa Wooster, e te rangatira, haere, haere ki te po