Beryl Te Wiata

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Beryl Te Wiata
Born
Beryl Margaret McMillan

(1925-04-15)15 April 1925
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died4 May 2017(2017-05-04) (aged 92)
Auckland, New Zealand
OccupationActress, author, scriptwriter
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1959; died 1971)​
ChildrenRima Te Wiata

Beryl Margaret Te Wiata (née McMillan, 15 April 1925 – 4 May 2017) was a New Zealand actor, author, and scriptwriter.

Early life and family[]

Born in Christchurch on 15 April 1925, Te Wiata was the daughter of Ethel Laura McMillan (née Hamilton) and Archibald Neil McMillan.[1] She was educated at Wellington East Girls' College from 1939 to 1941, and the Central School of Speech and Drama in London from 1949 to 1950.[1]

In 1948 she was working as a secretary in London when she met opera singer Inia Te Wiata.[2] They married on 24 October 1959 at Evesham, Worcestershire, England, and had one daughter, Rima, who became an actor and entertainer.[3] Inia Te Wiata died in 1971,[3] and Beryl Te Wiata returned to New Zealand with her daughter two years later.[4][5]

Career[]

Beryl Te Wiata was a film, television and stage actress. Her television appearances included roles on Shortland Street, Mercy Peak, Outrageous Fortune, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and Xena: Warrior Princess.[6] She was also a panelist on the New Zealand version of the television advice show Beauty and the Beast, hosted by Selwyn Toogood.[7]

She appeared in movies including the 1981 mystery horror Strange Behavior, Mesmerized in 1986, and the 1993 biopic Bread & Roses based on the life of Sonja Davies.[6] She wrote most of the comic sketches for, and starred in, two one-woman stage shows, Mrs. Kiwi Arthur presents and Mrs. Kiwi Arthur presents … more in the early 1980s.[8]

She wrote a biography of her late husband, titled Most happy fella: a biography of Inia Te Wiata, first published in 1976,[9][10] as well as his biography for the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.[3] In 2007, she compiled and wrote the liner notes for 49 tracks performed by Inia Te Wiata, released by the National Library of New Zealand.[2][10]

Death[]

Beryl Te Wiata died on 4 May 2017, aged 92. She is survived by her daughter, Rima Te Wiata.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Taylor, Alister, ed. (2001). New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa 2001. Auckland: Alister Taylor Publishers. ISSN 1172-9813.
  2. ^ a b Fraser, Cleo (3 January 2008). "Song of the past given new voice". Central Leader. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Te Wiata, Beryl. "Te Wiata, Inia Morehu Tauhia Watene Iarahi Waihurihia". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  4. ^ Eastgate, Caron (18 March 1987). "Trauma of widowhood". Auckland Star. p. B8.
  5. ^ Fenwick, Anne (12 August 1981). "This Kiwi took flight from wings". Auckland Star. p. 18.
  6. ^ a b Beryl Te Wiata at IMDb
  7. ^ McLean, Robyn (5 May 2002). "How's Life no ratings beast". Sunday Star Times. p. 5.
  8. ^ "Mrs. Kiwi Arthur presents". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Most happy fella: a biography of Inia Te Wiata". Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  10. ^ a b Dart, William (29 November 2007). "Treasures from that happy fella". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Beryl Te Wiata death notice". New Zealand Herald. 6 May 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
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