Shirley Horrocks
Shirley Yeta Horrocks (formerly Heim, née Spitz; born in Auckland) is a New Zealand documentary filmmaker, specialising in social and art topics. She was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to documentary filmmaking, in the 2019 New Year Honours. The citation notes that "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 the University of Auckland. 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(Hons), 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, photographer Marti Friedlander and photographer Peter Peryer. She has also become noted for science documentaries such as Dancing with Atoms, her profile of Sir Paul Callaghan, and Venus: A Quest, about the links between New Zealand and the transit of Venus (which was observed by Captain Cook in 1769). Since 2020 she has been directing the ‘Science &’ series, documentaries focusing on New Zealand’s response to Covid-19, whole genome testing, and emergencies such as the volcanic eruption Whaakari (or White Island). Glenda Lewis has coordinated research. The  series is an independent production but has been made with the cooperation of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Dame Juliet Gerrard. 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.