TV Drama Based on New Zealand Tragedy to Air This Week
Tangiwai: A Love Story airs 8:30pm TVOne this Sunday
The first television drama to be based on the 1953 Tangiwai railway disaster will be screened on TVNZ this Sunday night. Tangiwai: A Love Story tells of the tragedy that shook our nation through the love story of New Zealand cricketing legend, Bob Blair and his
nineteen-year-old fiancé. This tale remains one of our country’s most powerful and heart-wrenching stories.
For Director, Charlie Haskell, the production has been an intense but rewarding challenge. “There were so many human
stories around Tangiwai. After you hear the stories, and the personal stories particularly, it does mean a hell of a lot more to you. We all
wanted to pay due respects to all the people, the families of the victims.”
The Oscar-winning Weta Workshop has been involved in the production, recreating the train, as well as the location
itself, including the tracks, the river and lahar. “We tried to make everything as true to what really happened as
possible” says Weta Team Leader, Ian Ruxton.
Tangiwai is written and produced by Paula Boock and Donna Malane, the owners of Lippy Pictures. It is directed by
Charlie Haskell (Hercules, Xena and Maddigan’s Quest) and stars Rose McIver (as Nerissa Love), Ryan O’Kane (Bob Blair) and Dean O’Gorman (Bert Sutcliffe).
ENDS