Callen, John

Londoner by birth, and a New Zealander by adoption. He was just 16 when he arrived here from England and a grammar school education in early 1963.

He studied design at Wellington Polytechnic and then joined the NZBC as a copywriter and publicity officer later moving to "The Evening Post" as a reporter covering the magistrate's courts, local body works, sports, finance and theatre.

In 1967 he moved to Auckland where he worked as a sub-editor on two newspapers before rejoining the "Post" as a general news sub-editor.

His interest in theatre grew until late in 1975 he left the "Post" to join Wellington's Downstage theatre as a professional actor while maintaining his interest in journalism as a freelance editor.

He appeared in several radio plays and television roles including: