Ōtaki’s Libby Hakaraia, Managing Director at Blue Bach Productions, has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious national Women of Influence Awards (winners announced on 8 October 2014) in the arts category.
Libby is being celebrated for her impressive 25 years in broadcasting and journalism and her strong grounding in Maori affairs. She is also being recognised for assisting with the careers of many in the industry, nurturing and encouraging everyone who crosses her path.
Libby Hakaraia is a producer and director with over 25 years’ experience in broadcasting and journalism. This includes 1000’s of hours of interviewing for radio and television as well as producing and directing 16 prime time documentaries for TV1, TV3 and MTS. She has been a key participant in the independent film and television production industry having been both an executive member of the board of Nga Aho Whakaari Maori in the Screen production as well as an executive board member of SPADA the NZ Screen Production and Development Association. Libby has won awards, travelled widely both nationally and internationally and has a strong grounding in Maori affairs. She has just been asked to be part of the film jury for the largest indigenous film festival in the world and is an invited guest to the Berlin Film Festival. She can also be credited for the careers of many in the industry as she is incredibly nurturing and encouraging to everyone who crosses her path. She is one of those people who never sees the reasons not to do something, only the reasons why she should and how she can. Her influence on those around her is immense. She is wahine toa!
