Hugh MACDONALD Obituary

Hugh was a great mate over the years. We flatted together for a while back in the '60s, and kept in touch when I left New Zealand. During the time that I was working on LOTR, living in a campervan in the studio parking lot, Hugh and I would often have dinner together and talk about the old days. On my trips back home, I would always spend time with Hugh, right up through his stay at Rita Angus, which is the last time I saw him. I have several of his film projects on DVD, and having only just heard of his passing, will be lifting a glass to his memory tonight. Adios, old chum.

Kia ora Family -Very sorry to hear of the passing of Headmaster.He was a genuine friend and inspiration to many of my generation.
Rex Potier.

I was so grateful to watch Hugh's service online and to be hear the tributes to a man of such talent, who had a lifelong commitment to telling the stories of Aotearoa New Zealand. Kit Rowling did a magnificent job at capturing Hugh's long and distinguished film-making career. Hugh took me under his wing when I joined the National Film Unit in 1971 and introduced me to the mysteries and art of film editing. The service also gave me precious insights into Hugh the family man and loyal friend. Thanks to all who contributed to this creative and loving tribute. Anne Manchester

Kit Rowlings and myself met up with Hugh in the 60s at the NZ National Film Unit. This was the beginning of decades of amicably working together. Hugh has always been a loyal talented friend while his expertise as a leading film director is well established.
Often common denominators for the three of us, if we had a choice to nominate a subject to film, often erred on our love of NZs most spectacular wild and unique locations and its people. Many such locations involved using an old mobile Bedford film studio truck(No 28) where and when there was no accommodation available, but we had a range of cooking condiments and the ability to capture wild game and fish and a fine wine; thus roughing it; at the same time as positioning ourselves for the most spectacular of images on our studio doorstep.
Such choices of environments bring central Otago with leaves being swept up in the Main Street of Arrowtown and burnt, providing a shifting smokescreen of Arrowtown's last seasons wardrobe. Or, "maybe close by, a visit to Macetown with 29 unbridged river crossings, and access to a goldmining town with roofless sod walled buildings reverting back to tussock, and stood over by a massive rock crushing battery to retrieve gold.
In contrast to the arid expanses of Central Otago tussock landscape over an adjacent mountain range, another gold bearing landscape is guarded by it's dense rain forest canopy.
Within these two regions and many others around NZ Hugh, Kit and I could always unanimously find and agree to spectacular environments if we had the choice, to work in.
Hugh was an addicted image junky and stimulating to work and be with.
He was admired by his family, and as often as not, could be found regaling anecdotal tales of his filmmaking exploits to them.
I was honoured to have had many of my most enjoyable filming experiences with Hugh and Kit.
While Bev and I have very fond memories of family get togethers with Claire Hugh and Nik and Juliet.

Hugh was a great friend and mentor and my knowledge of filmmaking was greatly enhanced working with him on very many projects over the past twenty one years, including his very last one before his dementia got the better of him.