Vale Andrew Shaw
Tuesday 27 May 2025
Rātū, 27 Haratua 2025 / Tuesday, 27 May 2025
It is with great sadness that Spada acknowledges the passing of Andrew Shaw - our 2024 Industry Champion.
Andrew began his career in the 1970s as a teenage kids' TV show host, and over the nearly 50 years that followed, he worked as a television director and producer of just about every kind of show you could think of, and held numerous senior and influential network executive roles.
At different times, Andrew was the Head of Programming for both TVNZ channels, the Chief Operating Officer at South Pacific Pictures, a Programming and Commissioning Executive at a fledgling Prime, and he helped Richard Driver to successfully launch Sky TV’s Documentary Channel. At TVNZ, Andrew was General Manager of Commissioning, Production and Acquisition, then later became the Deputy Director of Content, overseeing international acquisitions and co-productions.
In recognition of his outstanding career, Andrew was named TV Legend at the 2020 NZ TV Awards (following the Award, Andrew spoke with Spada President Irene Gardiner about his illustrious career). In 2024, Andrew was the recipient of the 2024 Spada / Data Book Industry Champion, where he received a standing ovation and was supported by his very proud family.
Not only did Andrew have a longstanding career, but he was also a true champion for our industry; his affection and support for the people who worked in it were beyond compare.
Spada President Irene Gardiner said, "Like many in our industry, I have known and worked with Andrew over many years. As well as all of his professional successes, he was also one of life's great characters. He was absolutely one of a kind and will be sorely missed. Industry functions will never be quite the same again".
Spada would like to extend its deepest condolences to Andrew's family and to all who are saddened by the news of his passing.
