Andrew Shaw, former children’s TV host and later media executive, has died after a battle with cancer.
Shaw started his career in the 1970s with the TV2 show Here’s Andy, later renamed Hey Hey It’s Andy.
He then became a producer and director before rising to be Head of Commissioning, Production and Acquisitions at TVNZ.
His directing and producing work covered a wider range of shows covering everything from comedy and ballet to popular music programme Drop a Kulcha.
Shaw also worked as both a presenter and producer for the telethons which raised millions for charity in the 1970s and 1980s.
After a spell as Chief Operating Officer at production company South Pacific Pictures in the early 2000s, including signing a deal for the New Zealand version of American Idol, Shaw returned to TVNZ in executive roles. He remained at the network until 2020 and later was on the board of NZ On Air.
He was named Television Legend at the NZ Television Awards in 2020 and, in 2024, was recognised as Industry Champion by the local producers’ guild SPADA.
Shaw, who was in his lates 60s, died on May 24 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He leaves a wife and four children.
