SCREENWRITER, PLAYWRIGHT, JOURNALIST, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR
The Napier born writer, was prolific at his craft. Sir Rodger Hall remembers, “there was hardly a day when Dean wasn’t writing a play.” His most notable contributions to New Zealands screens include hits such as 1985 ‘Came a Hot Friday’, and 1991 television film ‘Old Scores’. Of his many written plays, 7 were produced in Auckland and 14 produced in Wellington. For his play Midnight in Moscow, Dean was awarded Laureate of the New Zealand Arts Foundation in 2010.
Parker was also heavily involved in the political commentary space. Since his time living in London during his mid-twenties, he joined the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Solidarity Campaign, and wrote on the Irish struggles. Back in New Zealand he was active in different unions and movements including the Socialist Unity Party of New Zealand and playing football in the Halt All Racist Tours team.
Dean Leo Parker
Died 2020
