Tributes flood in for pioneering actress

Dame Pat Evison, a much-loved stalwart of New Zealand radio, television and theatre who died at the weekend, will long be remembered for her colourful contribution, colleagues say.

The 85-year-old, who has been described as one of the country's "most well-known and well-loved actresses", had suffered from declining health for several years.

She is well known for her roles in Australian television shows Prisoner and The Flying Doctors.

In New Zealand she played Phyllis Telford in the 1970s drama series Pukemanu - a role that made her well known throughout the country. She also featured in Close to Home, a popular series in the late 1970s and early 80s.

The actress - who was made an OBE in 1980 for her services to the theatre and a dame in 1993 - has been described by those in the industry as a pioneer.

"She was one person who did so much through all the different media," said friend and broadcaster Hewitt Humphrey. She was a "very kind person" who had a "great generosity of spirit. I suppose you could say she was a real lady who had a strong sense of values in how she lived her life.

"She had a great sense of fun and humour ... it was really sad to see her suffer so much in the last few years of her life."

Humphrey said she was a "very very good actress", not just on television and stage but also on radio.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson described Dame Pat as "one of our most well-known and well-loved actresses" for her roles in groundbreaking series.

She was also "a pioneer in New Zealand theatre", being "one of the first New Zealand theatre students to receive a scholarship to study overseas at the Old Vic Theatre School in London."

Dame Pat had three children and nine grandchildren who lived around the world.

Her daughter Anne Carnus said she would always remember her mother as "someone who has lived very hard and fast".

"She's been an extraordinary mother, a very character-building mother ... She's been an actress but she's been so much more than that. She has always been so interested in what goes on in the community and what goes on in the country and very aware of social affairs."

Husband Roger Evison, speaking from their home in Wellington, said his wife would probably like to be remembered for her career, during which there were "quite a number" of highlights.

"I suppose the most prominent things were Close to Home on TV and the Australian Flying Doctors."

- additional reporting NZPA