Television New Zealand drama series set against the issues and landscape of New Zealand of the early 1980, tracing the lives of those involved in the Cameo empire where the worlds of big business and agriculture collide.
Matt Cameron (Roy Leywood), nearly 70 years old, is still managing the Cameo empire he founded just before the last world war. The business no longer consists of selling equipment to farmers.
Today he is facing decisions that are more complex and far-reaching. Matt must be cognisant of international trade, industrial relations and the public image of his once private firm. He is now making decisions that are more open to criticism. His son, Alistair (David Warwick), is keen to take over Matt’s job.
His son-in-law, Jim Abbot (Kevin Wilson), is also anxious about the decisions at the top. He should know. As regions manager, Jim is on the frontline between Cameo and the farmer.
Series One
1) A Bum Steer 31/12/1982
Three crises face Cameo. An information leak threatens a major export deal and pushes the cheese-workers union into strike action. Manager Matt Cameron smells a rat.
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Alistair Cameron - David Warwick
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Lorna Abbott - Darien Takle
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Ruth Cameron - Maggie Maxwell
Kath Jackson Warkham Pack
Greene Warrington - Paul Owen-Lowe Kelly Jones - Bill Evans
Maureen Stokes - Nickki Farrell
Dick Porter - Harold Kissin
Heather Kitts - Ruth Dudding
Roly Withers - Andrew Glover Riccardo AArdiies - Rolando Holmann
Writer DAVID HUGHES
Executive producer ROSS JENNINGS
Producer PETER SHARP
TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND
2) The Camco Wife 8/1/1983
Everyone stands to gain from Cameron's ad campaign. Ex-Farmer of the Year Chris Armitage is financed by Cameo into a model farm, and Cameo get the perfect image. The happy image shatters though, when Carol decides to leave the Cameo Man and claim her fair share of the spread.
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Martjko Mann
Alistair Cameron - David Wanwick
Chris Armitage - Adrian Keeling
Carol Armitage - April Kelland
Jim Abbon - Kevin Wilson
Lorna Abbott - Darien Takle
Kath Jackson - Wickham Pack
Kelly Jones - Bill Ewens
Maureen Stokes - Nikki Farrell
Dick Porter - Harold Kleein
Heather Kitts - Ruth Duckling
Executive producer ROSS JENNINGS Writer DAVID HUGHES
Producer PETER SHARP
TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND
3) Site 15/1/1983
When a German pulp and paper giant intends to redevelop huge areas of local land. Matt Cameron welcomes the consortium with open arms. By pushing the deal. however., he gets more than he bargained for.
Matt Cameron - Roy Laywood
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
AlIttad Cameron - David Warwrck
Jim Abbott Kevin - Wilson
Lorna Abbott - Darien Takle
Kath Jackson - Wickham Pack
Maureen Stokes - Nikki Farrell
Heather Kitts - Ruth Dudding
Writer MAURICE GEE
Executive producor ROSS JENNINGS Producer PETER SHARP
Director KEITH HUNTER
TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND
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4) Archives 22/1/1983
Matt acts out of character when he clinches two dubious deals involving worthless horses and business
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Martjko Mann
Alistair Cameron - David Wanwick
Jim Abbon - Kevin Wilson
Kath Jackson - Wickham Pack
Maureen Stokes - Nikki Farrell
Heather Kitts - Ruth Dudding
Esther Crowley - Nancey Flyger
Executive producer ROSS JENNINGS Writer Maurice Gee
Producer PETER SHARP
Director - Keith Hunter
TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND
5) Best Bets 29/1/1983
Kath Jackson discovers that someone is making decisions for her. And culprit Matt Cameron risks his reputation on the first leg of the double at Trentham.
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Martjko Mann
Alistair Cameron - David Wanwick
Kath Jackson - Wickham Pack
Maureen Stokes - Nikki Farrell
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Ruth Cameron - Maggie Maxwell
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Lowe
Writer - Dean Parker
Executive producer ROSS JENNINGS
Producer PETER SHARP
Director - Tony Wilson
TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND
6) Out at the Works 5/2/1983
The board applies pressure on Matt to step aside and let a successor resolve the conflict at the Waiatawa freezing works , but who will front up and change the mind of bull-headed Arthur Symonds
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Martjke Mann
Alistair Cameron - David Wanwick
Maureen Stokes - Nikki Farrell
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Lowe
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Lorna Abbot - Darien Takle
Arthur Symonds - David Weattherley
Writer - Dean Parker
Executive producer ROSS JENNINGS
Producer PETER SHARP
Director - Tony Wilson
7) The Gorse Blooms Brown 12/2/1983
Matt Cameron is on a hot spot when the figures indicate a rise in birth defects in the area. The finger is pointed at Mort-X, an imported gorse spray for which Cameo is responsible.
Matt Cameron - Royy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Alistair Cameron - David Warwick
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Lorna Abbott - Darien Takle
Kath Jackson Warkham Pack
Peter Fareburn - Ken Donaldson
Leonie Harrap - Faye Flegg
Martin Harrap - Laurie Dee
Dr Jeffries - Grant McFarland
Morris Black - Philip Holder
Sister Reardon - Dorothy McKegg
Maureen Stokes - Nikkii Farrell
Kelly Jones - Bill Ewens
Heather Kitts - Ruth Dudding
Writer - Graeme Lay
Executive producer ROSS JENNINGS
Producer PETER SHARP
Director - Chris Bailey
New farming methods provide background
Latest farming methods and the shift to alternative types of farming provide plot material for the second series of “Both Sides of the Fence,” which will begin on One at 8.30 tonight. One of the 13 hour-long episodes revolves around the use of a microlight to topdress a farm, rather than the use of conventional topdressing aircraft. Another episode deals with a dispute over pulling up peach trees in favour of kiwifruit, one concerns deer farming, and another mussel farming. A controversial mining issue, and an oil sheikh keen to buy New Zealand land will also be featured. Although many of the main characters of the first series of “Both Sides of the Fence” return in tonight’s episode, the second series has a new producer, Chris Bailey, and he has made some changes. “We’ve capitalised on the strong points of the first series,” he says. “Particularly strong characters will come into their own.” The story-lines too have a slightly different emphasis. “The focus is shifted slightly more towards the country,” says Bailey. “But the stories range from large-business stories to stories of a more human nature.” The emotion-laden issue of foot-and-mouth disease is the subject of tonight’s episode getting the second series off to a dramatic start. Sean Duffy stars as Coll Erikson — a pig farmer in Waiatawa. Erikson, who is i also an All Black, has just returned from a successful European tour and a few days later he discovers what looks like foot-and-mouth disease on his farm. To make matters worse, some of the stock have escaped through a broken fence, possibly already spreading the disease. It is discovered that Coll’s carelessness may be responsible for the initial transmission of the disease. To make the episode as authentic as possible, the script was checked by the’ Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Mr Brian Lord, assistant veterinary officer for the ministry, acted as adviser throughout filming and he even appeared as himself in a number of scenes. Ministry staff were used as extras.
Series 2
The dramas involving the Cameo empire return to the screen.
1) Burying the Boot 26/5/1983
All Black hero one day, Public Enemy Number One the next. Coll Erikson has a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease on his farm and it looks as if he's to blame after forgetting to clean his boots when he returns from a tour to the UK.
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warwick
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Josiee Erikson - Mary Reagan
Coll Erikson - Sean Duffy
Kelly Jones Bill Ewens
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Ruth Cameron - Maggie Maxwell
Graeme Warrington Paul Owen-Lowe
Writer - DAVID HUGHES
Producer - CHRIS BAILEY
Director - WAYNE TOURELL
THE SERIOUS economic implication of any outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in livestock is reflected in a recent publicity release by Television New Zealand. The release, about a programme based on a fictional foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, carries a photograph of a farm scene. On a fence a sign banning admittance because of the disease can be read. Across the photograph a “not to be reproduced” sign is stamped. TVNZ says the stamped warning is at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry wishes to guard against foreign newspapers lifting the photograph out of context from New Zealand papers. It is afraid that any rumour of a real outbreak could seriously damage meat exports. The programme, “Both Sides of the Fence,” will screen on Thursday, May 26. It is based loosely on the suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Temuka. To recreate scenes as realistically as possible, TVNZ has had extensive assistance by the Ministry. Many of the extras seen in the programme are Ministry officers.
Press, 20 May 1983
(2) Keep 'Em In the Dark 2/6/1983
With his father retired from active management of the Cameo empire, Alistair Cameron feels free to make bold decisions. But when the local container yard goes on strike, it looks as if Alistair's bitten off more than he can chew.
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warwick
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Lowe
Ray Bond - Sydney Jackson
Trevor Morrison - Bill Smith
Mike MacInyre - Arthur Wright
Lorna Abbott - Darien Takle
Penny King - Linden Wilkinson
Carol Buchanan - Margaret Umbers
Writer GRAEME LAY
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director MIKE SMITH
(3) Peaches and Cream: 9/6/1983
Hurst's canneries want their growers to switch to kiwifruit. And with Cameo wanting to take over Hurst's, Jim Abbott is caught in the cross-fire.
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warwick
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Geoff Parkes - Robin Ruskere
George Hurst - Pater Morgan
Writer GRAEME LAY
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director MIKE SMITH
(4) Musselling In 16/6/1983
Alistair Cameron's of to Europe and he reluctantly appoints Jim Abbott as acting general manager. But away from his wife and the familiar country surroundings, Jim makes one too many mistakes.
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warwick
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Leon Harding - Alistair Douglas
Sue Denton Lucinda MacDonald
Jill Greennough - Elizabeth Hawthorne
Carol Buchanan - Margaret Umbers
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Lowe
Writer GRAEME LAY
Produor CHRIS BAILEY
Director WAYNE TOURELL
(5) Free Trade 23/6/1983
Cameo's doing a private deal with a socialist government, but it all comes unstuck when a Russian goes missing.
Jim Abbott Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron David Warwick
Matt Cameron Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron Marijke Mann
Duncan Cameron John Watson
Carol Buchanan Margaret Umbers
Graeme Warrington Paul Owen-Lowe
Penny King Linden Wilkinson
Ruth Cameron Maggie Maxwell
Kelly Jones Bill Ewen
Alexy Borodinsky - Richard Moss
Writer DAVID HUGHES
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director WAYNE TOURELL
6) Dig Deep 30/6/1983
Lorna Abbott is standing for Parliament in the forthcoming by-election, but her loyalties are tested when the Government permits a mining consortium to move into the district.
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warrick
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Coll Erikson - Sean Duffy
Lorna Abbott - Darien Takle
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Love
Mike Mills - Derek Payne
Robyn Saxon - Frances Edmond
Writer DAVID HUGHES
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director WAYNE TOURELL
The topic of this evening's episode of Both Sides of the Fence
(One) is the controversial mining issue, and the heated arguments that ensue are reminiscent of what is happening in a number of small New Zealand towns today. When the Government permits a mining consortium to move into Waiatawa, the residents are furious, feeling that they have been sold out. They loudly voice their protests to the Minister of Lands when he arrives to reassure them that their environment will be protected. Meanwhile, the local byelection is coming up and Loma Abbott is standing as a candidate. Lorna is sympathetic to the concerns of the residents and is embarrassed to discover that Cameo is listed as a member of the mining consortium. The tension increases, and Lorna is forced to choose between her party and her electorate. Forty members of the Kumeu/Huapai Lions Club, and their wives, stood in as extras, when scenes were filmed of the townsfolk at the local political party meeting. Two members of the Lions Club, who had never acted before, played the parts of two members of the local political party hierarchy, sitting on-stage with the professionals, while the rest of the group made up the audience. In other scenes, Lions Club members played the parts of incensed townspeople at a meeting to air their objections to the mining company takeover. To inject an atmosphere of realism, they were told: Pretend a huge mining company has decided to flatten Huapai - and you can imagine how you'd feel about it.
After that the reaction came naturally.
7) Natures 30/6/1983
Cameo is going public, but the share issue is threatened when the company's own herbicide seems to be killing kiwifruit vines.
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warrick
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Lorna Abbott - Darien Takle
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Love
Ray Stone - Patrick Smyth
Ian Preston - Stephen Toxer
Ruth Cameron - Maggie Maxwell
Greg Coulter - George Henare
Writer PETER HILL
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director MIKE SMITH
M.P.'s father - from pulpit to role in TV drama
Kenneth Prebble, a former vicar, has long been of the opinion that roles of older people should be filled by older people, and not by young actors and the makeup artist. So he was particularly pleased to land the part of old Nobby in tonight's episode of Both Sides of the Fence.
He says he felt happy playing the old timer, once employed by Cameo as an odd-job man and now seeing out his twilight years in his humble bach. As Nobby, Prebble makes his debut appearance on television. He hopes it will not be his last, but at the age of 69 he admits that the roles he can play are limited. He began acting only three years ago.
8) What Shall It Profit A Man? 14/7/1983
While Alistair is trying to keep his father's true condition quiet, Jim Abbott is fighting Carnco's management to save the home of a harmless old man.
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warrick
Matt Cameron - Roy Leywood
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Lorna Abbott - Darien Takle
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Love
Ray Stone - Patrick Smyth
Ruth Cameron - Maggie Maxwell
Greg Coulter - George Henare
Dr Jeffries Grant - Grant McFadden
Nobby - Kenneth Prebble
Writer JOHN CASE
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director KEITH HUNTER
9) Manoeuvres 21/7/1983
In the wake of Matt Cameron's death, Alistair moves to consolidate his control over the family empire - but he runs into some surprising opposition.
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warrick
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Lorna Abbott - Darien Takle
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Love
Ruth Cameron - Maggie Maxwell
Greg Coulter - George Henare
Writer JOHN CASE
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director KEITH HUNTER
10) Ehere there's Smoke... 28/7/1983
The cultural Export Authority is making life difficult for Alistair Cameron. When he meets and old mate from his varsity days he begins to doubt himself and his business methods.
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warrick
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Lorna Abbott - Darien Takle
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Love
Ruth Cameron - Maggie Maxwell
Kelly Jones - Bill Ewers
Ralph Taylor - Philip Holder
Susie Taylor - Teresa Woodham
Sylvia Van Der Lee - Heather Lyndsay
Writer DUNCAN STURAT
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director WAYNE TOURELL
11) All Shook Up 4/8/1983
Spider Murphy wants some aerial spraying done but when Jim Abbott finds out what Spider's growing, both Spider and Graeme Warrington are in trouble
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warrick
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Love
Ruth Cameron - Maggie Maxwell
Greg Coulter - George Henare
Spider Murphy - Frank Whitten
Martin Harrap - Laurie Dee
Writer DUNCAN STUART
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director WAYNE TOURELL
Rock and roll farmer
Microlights and a farmer with a passion for rock and roll feature in All Shook Up,
the episode of Both Sides of the Fence,
on One tonight. Spider Murphy, an ageing rock 'n' roller turned farmer, wants to aerial spray his farmland, and Graeme Warrington of Cameo thinks a microlight is just what he needs to do it cheaply. Spider likes to play Elvis ballads to his cows at milking time (it increases the butterfat yield) and he struts round the farm in tight denims and black winklepickers. The producer, Chris Bailey, suggested the microlight as plot material after reading about microlights in farming magazines. He realised that there was a growing market for them among farmers because of their cost advantages over conventional aerial spraying methods.
When the scriptwriter, Duncan Stuart, worked on the episode, he combined his idea of a rock and roll farmer with a microlight idea, and it worked out quite well,
says Bailey. He may seem unbelievable,
says Bailey, but we've met people who say they know people like him.
12) The Hawk and the Lamb 11/8/1983
Sheikh Ahmad al Khaimal can help Alistair and Camco out of difficulty but can Alistair out-manoeuvre Creg Coulter?
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warrick
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Love
Ruth Cameron - Maggie Maxwell
Greg Coulter - George Henare
Penny King - Linden Wilkinson
Writer GRAEME LAY and JOHN CASE
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director MIKE SMITH
13) Horse and Trap 18/8/1983
Jim Abbott takes to Aussie grazier Don Pearson and seems completely under his spell. But Jill's worried that there's more to Don meets the eye (final)
Jim Abbott - Kevin Wilson
Alistair Cameron - David Warrick
Sarah Cameron - Marijke Mann
Duncan Cameron - John Watson
Graeme Warrington - Paul Owen-Love
Ruth Cameron - Maggie Maxwell
Greg Coulter - George Henare
Penny King - Linden Wilkinson
Don Pearson - Bruce Allpress
Ted Baxter - Desmond Kelly
Carol Buchanen - Margaret Umbers
Jill Greennough - Elizabeth Hawthorne
Phillip Snow - Richard Peore
Writer GRAEME LAY and JOHN CASE
Producer CHRIS BAILEY
Director MIKE SMITH
A third series had been planned but part way through the production of the second TVNZ decided to shelve those plans to free up funding so a third series of Mortimer's Patch could be made.
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