The New Zealand acting community mourns Murray Hutchinson who passed away peacefully during the afternoon of Friday 9 September 2005 in Dunedin.

Murray was the Head of Acting at Unitec School of Performing and Screen Arts until his resignation, due to ill health, at the end of 2002. He was made a Unitec Fellow by the Council and was also conferred with the distinguished title of Director Emeritus by the School prior to leaving Unitec.

Rest in PeaceThe New Zealand acting community mourns Murray Hutchinson who passed away peacefully during the afternoon of Friday 9 September 2005 in Dunedin.

Murray was the Head of Acting at Unitec School of Performing and Screen Arts until his resignation, due to ill health, at the end of 2002. He was made a Unitec Fellow by the Council and was also conferred with the distinguished title of Director Emeritus by the School prior to leaving Unitec.

Rest in PeaceHe was made a Unitec Fellow by the Council and was also conferred with the distinguished title of Director Emeritus by the School prior to leaving Unitec.

Murray was one of the key figures behind the establishment of the Performing Arts School as a private training establishment back in the early days at College Hill prior to its merger with Unitec. He was instrumental in developing much of the BPSA programme and in initiating the Diploma in Performance Technology. He is credited with much of the leading-edge innovation that has resulted in the strong industry standing and profile that SPASA enjoys today.

As a highly respected industry professional, Murray will be remembered for his strong contribution to the early days of New Zealand television including, in particular, the creation of Spot On and for his unwavering dedication and huge contribution to the development of New Zealand theatre. He was a tireless and inspirational theatre director who set high artistic standards and his legacy as an arts educator includes a raft of graduates who are now enjoying sustained success in the acting profession.

A service for Murray is to be held at the Fortune Theatre, Dunedin at 1.00pm on Tuesday, and will be followed by a private cremation. At the request of many of his friends and colleagues, a Memorial Service will be held at the Unitec Theatre at 11.00am on Sunday 18 September 2005.

Messages can be sent to 'The Hutchinson Family' c/o PO Box 5013 Dunedin.

John Webster
CEO
Unitec New Zealand