Hamish Keith

Writer

I came to Auckland in January 1958. An endlessly moving sky, chunks of joyful blue smartly replaced by towering gleaming whites clouds and soothing scudding patches of warm grey. The volcanic hills on either side slashed with gullies of red ochre, hugged by rich greens and the creamy flowers of manuka sparkling on black spikey trunks in a dark blue shade. It was a landscape full of energy and promise.

Now, many decades later, I wake every day to that sky. I live in a street lined with century-old plane trees which, in some extraordinary way, have incorporated in their trunks all those wonderful colours.

Colour constantly colours our life.

I live in a street lined with century-old plane trees which, in some extraordinary way, have incorporated in their trunks all those wonderful colours.

6xColours

Hamish Keith is an Art Historian, Radio and Television Broadcaster, Writer, Arts Administrator and self-described Cultural Odd Job Man.

In 1958 he joined the Auckland City Art Gallery as a student assistant. Hamish became a strong advocate for the importance of art (and Māori art) in Kiwi culture, and for recognising contemporary artists. He worked towards gaining an influence so he could improve its funding structures.

Hamish left the gallery in 1973 and has since worked as a television scriptwriter for the pioneering series Pukemanu and Section Seven and has made television documentaries on the arts, urban housing and current affairs. His last major documentary was the award-winning 2007 series on the story of New Zealand art The Big Picture.

Hamish Keith was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 1981. He was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013.