17 February 2002
The Government has joined those sending its sympathy to the family of actor Kevin Smith.
The 37-year-old died in the early hours of Saturday morning in a Beijing hospital, as a result of head injuries he received during a fall about ten days ago.
Minister of Arts and Culture, Judith Tizard, says there are no plans for a memorial for Kevin Smith at this stage.
She says the Government is doing all it can to help the family who are in China and at the moment are working through his agent, Robert Bruce.
She says while no one will be able to forget Smith as Ares the war god in Hercules and Xena the Warrior Princess, her lasting memory of him is of a very funny and talented New Zealander.
Already a number of tribute websites for Smith have appeared on the Internet.
© 2002 NZCity, IRN
