For years its white cliffs (Rangitikei River) and its green water have been my favourite subject and I have explored every stretch of it, watching the light on the cliffs change and shadows define new shapes. Peter McIntyre 1979

The mighty Rangitikei River is one of New Zealand's longest rivers winding 185 kilometres through the Central Plateau to the South Taranaki Bight. McIntyre often painted the curving river bed and spectacular white cliffs of the Rangitikei valley. His chosen subject featured in a 1998 stamp issue.

Peter McIntyre was born in Dunedin in 1910 and educated at Otago Boys' High School and at the University of Otago, at the age of twenty he went to London to study at the Slade School of Art.

His subsequent work included book illustrations, and stage decoration. At the outbreak of war he joined a New Zealand volunteer unit formed in London as an Anti-Tank Battery, and served in this as a gunner in Egypt. He was commissioned by General Freyberg as Official War Artist, and in this capacity served in Greece, Crete, North Africa, and Italy.

After the war he returned to New Zealand to live departing for painting trips to the Antarctic, to Hong Kong, the Pacific, and the American West - plus a round-the-world trip centered on travel in Britain and the Continent. His pictures of Hong Kong formed an exhibition that toured the United States for three years.

Early in 1970, Queen Elizabeth awarded the coveted Order of the British Empire to Peter McIntyre for his increasing success as an author and for his accomplishments in the fine art fields.

Publications include his illustrated autobiography, The Painted Years, Peter McIntyre's West, Peter McIntyre's Pacific, Peter McIntyre's New Zealand, Peter McIntyre's Wellington, Peter McIntyre: War Artist, McIntyre Country and Kakahi.

Peter McIntyre 1910-1995

Peter McIntyre is one of New Zealand' most respected artists. Born in Dunedin, his artist father arranged lessons with the artist Alfred O'Keeffe and further studies at the Slade School of Art, London. Following the outbreak of war in 1939, McIntyre enlisted with the 34th Anti-tank Battery, a New Zealand volunteer unit. His platoon was sent to Egypt where the young McIntyre contributed illustrations to the British war magazine Parade. In 1941 General Freyberg appointed McIntyre New Zealand's official war artist. These memorable early works now held in the National Archives, Wellington document the experiences of New Zealand soliders in Crete, North Africa, Tripoli and Italy.

Returning home in 1946 McIntyre established a studio in Dunedin and enjoyed acknowledgement and success as a professional artist. In 1959 he won the Kelliher Art Award. From 1961 through to the early 1980s McIntyre wrote and illustrated best selling books. These included his biography, The Painted Years. McIntyre's New Zealand sold out within six days and his publishers commissioned further books documenting the artist's travels to Antarctica, the American West, Hong Kong and the Pacific. Several generations of New Zealanders grew up enjoying these publications and today his distinctive landscapes attract the recognition they so rightly deserve.

In 1970 McIntyre was awarded an OBE for his contribution to New Zealand art and publishing. In 1995 a major retrospective exhibition featuring the war paintings was held at Wellington City Gallery. Works are sold worldwide and held in private and public collections. These include the National Army Museum, Waiouru, Te Papa, and the Auckland War Memorial Museum.