Shirley Horrocks


Shirley Yeta Horrocks is a New Zealand documentary filmmaker, specialising in social and art topics. She was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2019 New Year Honours “For services to documentary filmmaking.” The citation adds: “Ms Shirley Horrocks is a leader in documentary films on the arts in New Zealand and has directed and produced documentaries for 35 years."

Education and early career

Horrocks' first career was as a high school English teacher in the 1970s, before studying drama at Auckland University. As part of her diploma she made a documentary on Theatre Corporate. After completing the diploma Horrocks travelled to New York City, where she explored filmmaking. She returned to New Zealand and became a documentary filmmaker.
She holds a Diploma in Drama, holds a BA, MA, and MBA from the University of Auckland.

Documentary career

In 1984, Horrocks started a production company, Point of View Productions, which she directs with husband Roger Horrocks. The company specialises in documentaries, drama, education and training programmes.
Horrocks is especially known for her documentaries about New Zealand artists and writers, including artist Len Lye, writer Albert Wendt, poet Allen Curnow, artist John Reynolds, playwright Roger Hall, artist Tom Kreisler and photographer Marti Friedlander.

Filmography

Peter Peryer: The Art of Seeing is the 12th feature-length documentary directed by Shirley Horrocks to be selected for the NZ International Film Festival.

Personal life

Horrocks is married to Roger Horrocks, who founded the Department of Film, Television and Media Studies at Auckland University. Her stepson Dylan Horrocks is a well-known New Zealand cartoonist.