He has arguably the longest and most comprehensive CV of anybody working in New Zealand television. Film-maker Wayne Tourell who began his career with local news programme ‘Town and Around,’ in the 1960s, has presided over some iconic moments on the small screen, including his famous pairing of US TV presenter Leeza Gibbons and Coronation street actor Christopher Quinten in a Christchurch studio for a telethon in 1988.
“Things were going quite slowly in terms of raising money but when these two fell for each other in such an immediate and obvious way, the chemistry got going and New Zealanders were transfixed by the couple’s passionate antics on the studio floor so before long we’d surpassed $1 million, and eventually ended up raising well over $5 million,” he says.
Gibbons had been dating actor Sylvester Stallone, but she broke up with him after meeting Quinten, and the pair went on to marry. They had a daughter, Lexie, but divorced after just two years.
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Tourell also oversaw many iconic scenes on Shortland Street, now in its 28th year and although he didn’t direct the classic “You’re not in Guatemala now, Dr Roparta,” scene, he remembers being around during that period.
Wayne Tourell and his partner Helen Bissett at their dream retreat. Photo / New Zealand Herald
“I think one of the most touching episodes I directed, was when Ellen Crozier, played by Robyn Malcolm and David Kearney (Peter Elliott) lost their baby daughter Rose to cot death,” he says.
“They’re both such amazing actors and nobody could ever forget the sight of David carrying the small white coffin.”
Another significant part of Tourell’s long career was spent at the Natural History Unit in Dunedin, where he and partner Helen Bissett produced wildlife programmes for international channels.
“We had over 100 people there and at the time it was the second largest natural history unit in the world, apart from the BBC.
Leeza Gibbons and Christopher Quinten on the cover of Woman's Weekly. Photo / Supplied
It was their shared love of nature that drew Tourell and Bissett to their home in Colleith Lodge, in Tairua, which they are now selling.
Set on a prime spot amongst native bush, with birdlife all around and overlooking picturesque Rewa Rewa Valley, the stunning four-bedroom home on 5317 sqm is currently a luxury accommodation establishment, but it’s a very flexible property and could just as easily be a wonderful family home.
“We’ve had people from all over the world, but particularly from Europe and North America,” says Bissett.
She says that the property works well because it’s essentially a "long cross" shape.
“You’ve got one wing with the three luxury bedrooms, each with a bathroom, then the main living area with the kitchen, dining room, two lounges and conservatory.”
On the opposite side is the huge master suite with its own bathroom. It also has a private lounge, deck, and courtyard garden.
The pool and spa pool are a magnet to guests and all of the outdoor living spaces are permanently sun-kissed.
The view from the lodge is breath-taking. Photo / Supplied
Whether it’s a family home or a lodge, the luscious subtropical gardens with tall palm trees, fern trees and brightly coloured flowers help create a resort-like atmosphere and there are various walkways throughout the property, past the vegetable garden with its impressive yield and the orchard, where the trees are always laden with seasonal fruit.
Tourell and Bissett are heading for a quieter life and are very proud of what they’re leaving behind.
“It’s such an idyllic place with so much going for it,” she says.
Having had many appreciative international guests a number of whom were world business leaders and even managers from Silicon Valley, she says it won’t surprise her if the buyer turns out to be somebody from overseas – perhaps an ex-pat, who longs to return to a safer, more peaceful place.
“It’s so close to the beach, the forest, Tairua, with its shops and cafes and it’s under two hours from Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga.”
People who are keen on fishing or surfing immediately feel right at home here, and Bissett says that the views towards Tairua Harbour, Pauanui and Slipper Island are always mesmerising.
“It doesn’t matter what season it is, or what the weather’s like, it still looks beautiful.”
As well as the fabulous living space on offer there’s also a huge amount of parking with room for four cars under the house, plus large, covered areas, suitable for boats, caravans, motorhomes and yet more cars.
Bissett and Tourell say that they’ll miss the nightly drinks and canapes they provided for guests.
“It gave us the most wonderful opportunity to learn about each other, and for us to promote New Zealand.”
Tony White, from Harcourts, Tairua, says that interested parties should register their interest as soon as possible.
“It has many possibilities, and, for one example, I could imagine it as a multi-generational compound, sort of like the Kennedys had at Cape Cod in the USA.
“It would be absolutely perfect for that!”
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