John Barnett is New Zealand’s leading TV and film producer.

His company Endeavour Ventures Ltd is developing feature film projects, some international TV series, and consulting to companies in Australia and New Zealand

John began his career in the film and television industry as an independent producer in 1973. Over the past 4 decades, he has produced television drama, documentaries and feature films, including the internationally acclaimed and Oscar-nominated film Whale Rider.

From 1992 -2015 he ran NZ’s biggest TV and Film company South Pacific Pictures Ltd, and during that time oversaw the production of more than 3500 hours of top rating TV drama as well as 7 feature films, 4 of which are amongst NZ’s top 10 box office hits.

He was co-owner of South Pacific Pictures from 1998 with Chrysalis TV, and then All3 Media, before he sold his interests and stepped down from the company

Barnett has produced or executive produced 5 of the top 10 grossing New Zealand films at the New Zealand Box Office.

He has been active in the politics of the business throughout his career and was a founder of New Zealand’s industry magazine, OnFilm. He has also been actively involved in film, television and video distribution and in the development of multiplex cinemas in New Zealand.

John also set up Sundance Channel (NZ) (now the Rialto Channel) – the first Sundance affiliated channel outside the United States.

John has served 2x 4year terms on the Board of the New Zealand Film Commission. He was a member of the NZ Screen Council, a Government initiative to further develop the New Zealand film and television industry.

In November 2002, he was made the SPADA/OnFilm Industry Champion of the Year; and in 2003 was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. This honour was awarded for Barnett’s services to the film industry. In 2020 he was further recognised and elevated to Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

In May 2007 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Commerce degree from Wellington’s Victoria University for his contribution to the establishment of New Zealand’s film and television industry and its growing international reputation. In 2012 the New Zealand Motion Picture Industry Council presented Barnett with the Moodabe Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to the New Zealand Motion Picture Industry.

He was the 2014 recipient of the Auckland Grammar School ‘Augusta Award’ for outstanding achievement and contribution to the Arts.

Barnett has been active in other areas of media. In 1972 he co-founded New Zealand’s leading weekly business newspaper, National Business Review. He was a director of NBR from 1972-1985.

He is active in public areas and amongst his responsibilities he is a Trustee of the Auckland Health Foundation Charitable Trust, and he is an independent director of Te Urungi o Ngati Kuri, the trust board for the northernmost Maori iwi (tribe). He is a supporter/Patron of the Arts, including the Auckland Arts Festival, Auckland Theatre Company and the Auckland Writers Festival. He is a Trustee of the NZ Film Heritage Trust and the Vista Foundation, whose remit it is to assist young and emerging New Zealand filmmakers.

John is a regular speaker and commentator on industry and media matters, and on the elements that make a successful enterprise.

From Shortland Street to Outrageous Fortune, Beyond Reasonable Doubt, to Footrot Flats to Whale Rider, he has had a significant impact on NZ’s culture.