Craig Potton

Potton in 2013

Craig Potton MNZM (born c. 1953) is a New Zealand photographer, environmentalist, businessman, publisher, and founder of the prominent New Zealand publishing company Potton & Burton.[1][2] Potton, who resides in Nelson, has been active in local government and stood as a Green candidate in two general elections, most recently in 1999.[3]

Biography

Born in Nelson, Potton attended Tahunanui School and Nelson College before studying Eastern Religions, English, and teaching at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. From a young age, Potton had an interest in environmentalism and took part in the Save Manapouri campaign in high school.[2] After a brief stint at teaching,[4] Potton joined the conservation group Forest & Bird. Besides serving as a board member of Forest & Bird and chairman of the group's Nelson branch, Potton also served as the group's representative on the New Zealand Conservation Authority and played a role in the creation of the Kahurangi and Rakiura National Parks.[5] He was also a member of the National Forestry Council and the Federated Mountain Clubs.[3]

Potton also worked as a stills photographer on the sets of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Pan (2003), and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005). Potton's photography has been displayed at exhibitions in the Christchurch Art Gallery, the National Gallery of Australia, the Rowe Gallery in North Carolina, and the Luksfera Gallery in Warsaw and Jerusalem. Craig has also worked on several film projects including the documentaries Rivers (2010) and Wild Coasts (2011). His Rivers episode "Rangitata" won the award for Best Documentary Script at the 2011 New Zealand Script Writers Awards.[4][6]

In 1987, Potton founded Craig Potton Publishing to publish his photography books, when two of his books on national parks weren't printed well. In 1990, Craig was joined by Robbie Burton, who became the company's Managing Editor and Publisher; as of 2009 the company employs 15 people.[2] In 2015, Craig Potton was renamed Potton & Burton after Burton assumed co-ownership of the company. In addition to books on New Zealand nature and wildlife, the company has published the journalist Nicky Hager's books Secret Power, Dirty Politics,[1][3] The Hollow Men and Seeds of Distrust.[2] In addition to his photography, conservation, and publishing work, Potton also owns a Gallery Store in Nelson.[4] Potton is also a member of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand and stood as a Green candidate in two elections including the 1999 general election. In addition, Potton has been involved in local government and served as a member of the Nelson Catchment Board, the Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council, and the Nelson City Council.[3][2]

Honours

In the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours, Potton was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to photography and conservation.[7]

Personal life

Craig Potton is the younger son of Nelson businessman Dick Potton and his wife Rhoda Potton.[2] Craig's father set up Zip Industries and Nelson's cinema complex State Cinemas. Potton also has an older brother named Richard Potton, who owns State Cinemas.[8][9] Potton's first wife was Beverly Beizman, whom he married in 1986. The two produced a son named Michael. Craig lost both his mother Rhonda and wife Beverly (in 2005) to ovarian cancer; in 2005 he also lost his close friend Rod Donald.[2] Potton has Jewish ancestry through his mother.[2] Potton later married his second wife Catherine. They have a four-year old daughter with Catherine having two daughters from a previous relationship.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "About us". Potton & Burton. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Van Djik, Marion (18 February 2009). "At one with nature". The Nelson Mail. Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Craig Potton to stand for Green Party". Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Craig Potton". New Zealand Photography Workshops. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  5. ↑ "Craig Potton receives Forest & Bird's top award". Forest & Bird. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  6. ↑ "Rivers with Craig Potton - Rangitata". NZ On Screen. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2013". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  8. 1 2 Hewitson, Michele (30 November 2015). "Michele Hewitson interview: Craig Potton". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  9. ↑ "Sale of Potton home sparks dispute". The Nelson Mail. Stuff.co.nz. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
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