Friday 21st October
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Revealed this Week on New Zealand’s Top 100 History Makers
Last night on Prime’s new local history programme, New Zealand’s Top 100 History Makers, artist Colin McCahon was named
the 46th most influential New Zealander of all time.
The ranking was decided by a panel of eight who have cast a Top 100 list of the greatest people in New Zealand’s
recorded history.
McCahon, although a controversial figure, is credited with introducing a modern style to New Zealand art, and is widely
regarded as our greatest painter of all time.
Art critic Douglas Lloyd-Jenkins, who was one of the eight responsible for formulating the list, stated last night;
“McCahon is the man that teaches New Zealanders how to see in a new way; it’s completely different to the way the rest
of the world sees. There’s a lot to come from McCahon the more you look. Most people don’t look enough. To me, he’s a
genius”.
Three episodes of New Zealand’s Top 100 History Makers have screened so far and some contemporary figures included in
the ranking to date are actor Russell Crowe at 100, Sir Roger Douglas at 71, and musician Tim Finn at number 57.
The number one New Zealander of all time will be revealed on Thursday 10 November, with a People’s Choice vote being
decided in a live finale on Thursday November 17.
Tune into New Zealand’s Top 100 History Makers,
every Thursday night at 7.30pm on Prime.
ENDS