Richard and his instruments have been included on a number of documentaries and films, and on the radio and TV. Below is a selection.
Multimedia
The land has eyes, 2003
Writer and director, Vilsoni Hereniko
A film made in Fiji, composers: Richard Nunns and Clive Cockburn
Shamed by her village for being poor and the daughter of a convicted thief, Viki is inspired and haunted by the Warrior Woman from her island’s mythology.
A light among shadows, 2007
Michael Heath’s film tells the story of Edith Collier, one of New Zealand’s most talented yet underrated artists (1885-1964). Told with sensitivity and respect, it includes much of her extraordinarily beautiful work. It is not only a fitting eulogy to a remarkable artist, but an affecting tale of cultural identity and rejection. Additional music by Richard Nunns.
He Ara Pūoro :: A Pathway of Song
Recorded in the bush at The Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellington, He Ara Pūoro is a collaboration between Richard Nunns and Radio New Zealand, whereby Richard plays and begins to describe the many traditional Māori instruments in his collection.
Thirty-four eight-minute segments feature Richard playing an instrument and then talking about its individual history and context.
Honoured
Special Commendation: Best NZ-Produced Musical Feature, at the 2006 NZ Radio Awards.
He Ara Pūoro was also commended as a finalist in the 2006 Media Peace Awards.
He Ara Pūoro, RadioNZ
The Waimate Conspiracy, 2006
Written and directed by Stefen Lewis
Breath of Peace, 2005
Producer/director: Kathleen Gallagher
Music: Ian McDonald, Richard Nunns and Aroha Yates-Smith
Sensitive, original music emphasised the magnificent pacific…
Peb Simmons
Sprinkled with moments of humour, this film celbrates humanity and creates a touchstone of hope for the future, it honours the intrinisic human desire to live peacfully.
Tui Motu Interislands, 2005
Whale Rider, 2002
South Pacific Pictures
Lord of the Rings
Mauri, 1988
When she made Mauri, Merata Mita became the first Māori woman to direct, write and produce a feature film. Mauri (meaning life force), is loosely set around a love triangle and explores cultural tensions, identity, and a changing way of life in a dwindling East Coast town. As with Barry Barclay’s Ngati, Mauri played a key role in the bourgeoning Māori screen industry; the production team numbered 33 Māori and 20 Pākehā, including interns from Hawkes Bay wānanga. NZ art icon Ralph Hotere helmed the production design; Māori activist Eva Rickard played kuia Kara.
Flight of the Albatross, 1996
Top Shelf/Fritz Wagner co-production
Sarah, a teenage German, travels to New Zealand to visit her ornithologist mother, working on Great Barrier Island. She meets Mako, an angry Māori recently released from prison, and they slowly become friends. Trouble begins when they visit a cursed mountain.
Composer In Residence, Gillian Whitehead, 2007
He also featured in the recent Gillian Whitehead documentary on TVNZ.
Kete Aronui
Richard has been the subject of a number of documentaries, most recently on Kete Aronui on Māori television.