Biography
Richard Nunns was one of New Zealand’s most respected performers and researchers of Maori music and instruments. He performed and recorded widely both within New Zealand and internationally across a wide range of musical genres and with groups and ensembles including Moana and the Moahunters and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Richard began his research and collaboration with Hirini Melbourne in the 1990s. Their recordings Te Ku Te Whe and Te Hekenga-a-rangi have become the seminal works of traditional Maori instrumental music.
Richard Nunns was awarded an honorary life membership of the New Zealand Flute Association, and in 2001 was awarded the KBB Citation for Services to New Zealand Music presented by the Composers Association of New Zealand (CANZ). In 2008, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Victoria University, Wellington.
2009 was a special year for Richard – not only was he awarded a QSM (Queens Service Medal) for services to taonga puoru, he was admitted to the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame and became an Artist Laureate of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.
[As an Arts Foundation Laureate more information about Richard Nunns can be found on the Arts Foundation website.]
Richard Nunns passed away in June 2021. Click here to read a tribute to Richard on the SOUNZ blog.
Composed (89)
for virtual instruments, featuring original composition by Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns, 4m 26s