Exhibitor Barrie Everard has been appointed chair of the New Zealand Film Commission, the government agency which plays a crucial role in the development and production of most NZ films.

Everard is joint owner/operator of the Berkeley Cinema Group and has already been a board member for two years. His tenure as chairman is for the next two years. In other board changes, television, radio and film producer/director Ngäruawähia-based Tainui Stephens (Te Rarawa) and a partner in the Auckland-based accountancy firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers, William Somerville, have been appointed as new members for three years each. Retiring is Dr Hirini Melbourne.

Announcing Everard's appointment today, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Judith Tizard acknowledged the "outstanding contribution" of retiring chair, barrister Alan Sorrell. He has been on the board for nearly a decade, with about half that time as chair. "He has brought unfailing leadership, commitment, time and energy to the Commission and I thank him for his guidance and dedication," she said.

One of Sorrell's last tasks has been sorting out the financial crisis that has enveloped Kahukura Productions and several unfinished films, including Crime Story, written and directed by company owner Larry Parr, and produced by Charlie McClellan.

Sorrell today told the media that $57,270 (NZ$120,000) paid to Kahukura before the financial difficulties surfaced, and which had not been 'on-paid' to Crime Story creditors as it should have been, has undermined the NZFC's confidence that it has got the pre-budgeted funds to finish the film.

Parr reacted by confirming that the money was paid into the company's general accounts. The expenditure was still being accounted for, but the impact on Crime Story would be "significantly less than the NZ$120,000 quoted," he said.