No Ordinary Sheila: Famed NZ naturalist Sheila Natusch has died

Hugh Macdonald
No Ordinary Sheila opens in select New Zealand cinemas on October 19.

Renowned naturalist Sheila Natusch has died, just days after a film of her life was premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival.

Natusch had been unwell at the time of the premiere of the film of her life, No Ordinary Sheila, by her film-making cousin Hugh Macdonald in the first leg of the New Zealand International Film Festival.

But on Monday morning, the festival's Facebook page revealed that Natusch had finally seen the film with an audience.

Sheila Natusch in a scene from her life that appeared in the film, No Ordinary Sheila.
Sheila Natusch in a scene from her life that appeared in the film, No Ordinary Sheila.

"We're saddened to hear that Sheila Natusch has passed away, Thursday 10 August aged 91. Our hearts are warmed knowing that Sheila was able to view the film about her life, No Ordinary Sheila, with a packed auditorium in the 100 year old Paramount cinema in Wellington on Tuesday afternoon." the festival said.

READ MORE: New Kiwi doco exposes extraordinary life

At a post-festival Q&A in Auckland just 2 weeks ago, Macdonald revealed the film would be going out on general release later this year, meaning that much of the South Island who knew of Natusch and her career would be able to enjoy it as well.

Renowned NZ naturalist and famed Wellington and South Island resident Sheila Natusch has died aged 91
NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Renowned NZ naturalist and famed Wellington and South Island resident Sheila Natusch has died aged 91

Born in 1926, Natusch, who lived most of her early life on Stewart Island, became one of the country's most famous illustrators and documenters of the wildlife of the country.

She studied in Dunedin where she became friends with the writer Janet Frame before discovering her love for the creatures and plants of the country.

She first studied to be a teacher but gave that up after she realised she couldn't control the classes full of children.

Moving to Wellington's Owhiro Bay where she lived for over six decades, Natusch was often seen sailing along the coast and capturing shots of the wildlife for within some of the 77 books she wrote.

The most famous of her works was Animals of New Zealand which was initially rejected by the first publisher she sent it to.

 

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