New Zealand film and television producer John Barnett died on Sunday night, according to new reports.

Barnett's known for working on some of the country's highest grossing films - including Footrot Flats, Whale Rider and Sione's Wedding.

He ran South Pacific Pictures, the country's largest production company, from 1992 to 2015, and was made companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to film and television in 2019.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recalled his experience working with John Barnett.

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