Dame Pat Evison dies at 85

One of New Zealand's best known actresses Dame Pat Evison has died after a long illness at the age of 85.

Born as Helen June Patricia Blamires in Dunedin in June 1924, she went to school in Masterton before going to Victoria and Auckland universities and Auckland Teachers' Training College.

She was among the first New Zealand theatre students to receive an overseas scholarship, moving to Britain in the 1940s to study as a director at the London's Old Vic Theatre Centre. She later became an assistant director with the Young Vic Theatre Company.

She returned to New Zealand as a freelance director before turning to an acting career in which she worked on stage, radio and television in Australia and New Zealand.

She is probably best known for her roles in Australian TV soaps Prisoner and The Flying Doctors.

In New Zealand she played Phyllis Telford in the landmark 1970s drama series Pukemanu - a role that the show's creator, Julian Dickon, said made her recognised as that character nationwide. She also featured in the popular Close to Home series.

Her New Zealand film appearances included playing the vampire's daughter in children's fantasy Grampire, and an unwelcoming local in Bad Blood.

Dame Pat acted in a number of early productions at Wellington's Downstage Theatre. Her performance in the Samuel Beckett play Happy Days was described by director Bruce Mason as the "finest event in New Zealand theatre".

She was awarded an OBE in 1980 for her services to the theatre and was made a dame in 1993.

Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson today paid tribute to Dame Pat's life and career, saying she was an important part of New Zealand history television history.

"Dame Pat Evison was one of our most well-known and well-loved actresses for her television roles in groundbreaking series, but she was also a pioneer in New Zealand theatre," he said.

"My thoughts go out to her family, friends and colleagues at this time."

She is survived by her husband, Roger, two sons and a daughter.

- NZPA