A Tribute to Martyn Sanderson

Another sad loss: last month Martyn Sanderson shuffled off this mortal coil. He was given a wonderful send off in the Rangiatea Church in Otaki, where he now rests in peace on a hill in the urupa by the church.

I knew Martyn well. We and our families lived together for several years at the Snoring Waters commune in Hawkes Bay; but somehow I felt I got to know Martyn better from hearing the things others had to say about him at his funeral. With so many people gathered together talking and reminiscing, I got to hear stories I’d never heard before, and to hear of Martyn’s work and achievements which I wasn’t fully aware of.

Martyn made a considerable contribution to the culture and arts in Aotearoa. Although he will be sadly missed, his legacy will live on.

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When this National-led government won the last general election, I made comment about some of the changes which could affect both us as screen workers and the population in general. One of the areas of concern to me was what may happen to ACC. Sir Owen Woodhouse was quoted recently as saying the proposed changes to ACC breach the principles of the scheme which, as the head of the Royal Commission, he authored back in 1967. (The scheme was implemented in 1974.)

The blow-out in ACC losses stems from the previous National Government’s decision to allow private sector competition; this required a change towards ACC being funded on the same basis as private insurers. So we have ACC desperately trying to predict and cover their potential costs years ahead. We need only look to the USA to see how incredibly inefficient insurance is as a way of paying for a population’s health needs.

On a point which I have made more than once, Sir Owen’s 1967 report proposed a single flat-rate levy on all employers, on the basis that we all benefit from the work undertaken by those in risky industries such as fishing or forestry or mining. He disputes Nick Smith’s claim that varied levies give an incentive for people to behave in safer ways. Are people really willing to risk killing themselves for the sake of a few dollars of saved premiums?

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Ah, what’s in a name?

In the last edition of NZTECHO, Tony, our editor, explored the idea of a name change for our guild. This has been talked about on and off over the years, because the name “Technicians’ Guild” seems to give the impression that we don’t represent those who work in areas which are not considered to be ‘technical’ areas, such as art department, make-up, wardrobe, production office, location management, and so on.

Of course we represent any and all who work in the screen production industry, and we welcome the input of all departments. Lengthy discussion of the topic amongst the National Exec suggests that a name change may be secondary to the need to inform screen workers about the work we do on their behalf, and to encourage all in all departments to join up and help hold onto and improve our conditions of work.

Whatever our official title, we will always be known as the ‘Techos’ Guild’. I guess it’s up to those of us who are already members to inform and educate those who aren’t, and get them to join up so that our voice can fairly represent all who work in this industry.

...Albol