MEDIA RELEASE
23 April 2008
Political journalist and dedicated musician to receive top honours
Victoria University of Wellington will present honorary doctorates to political journalist Colin James and musician
Richard Nunns this year.
Colin James is New Zealand’s foremost political journalist, and has made a major contribution to the public’s
understanding of New Zealand politics and business, based on a profound knowledge of the country’s political, social and
economic history.
His professional career has spanned print, radio and television media. A life member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery,
he is the author of several books, a former editor of the National Business Review and New Zealand Books, and has
contributed to conferences and seminars on policy issues in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the United
Kingdom. In particular he has managed and contributed to several projects at Victoria’s Institute of Policy Studies,
always with exemplary distinction from his role as a journalist.
“It is greatly satisfying to have the opportunity to acknowledge Colin James’s substantial achievements as a political
commentator, journalist and author. Colin has been at the forefront of his profession for some time, and he is highly
regarded for his independent scrutiny and astute analyses of political and governmental developments,” says
Vice-Chancellor Professor Pat Walsh.
Richard Nunns has been a leading performer and teacher in the revitalisation of traditional Māori musical
instruments—Taonga Pūoro—that were once thought to have been lost forever. He has provided music for the Whale Rider and
Lord of the Rings soundtracks, and held a writing fellowship at Victoria University in 2000 to document the work with
Taonga Pūoro.
Richard Nunns worked with Hirini Melbourne, visiting marae in all parts of the country, learning, teaching and
performing widely with the instruments, and he has collaborated with many New Zealand composers and performers. He has
toured widely in the Pacific, the far East, the Americas and Europe, and his honorary doctorate is supported by the
wider Māori community.
“Richard Nunns has been generous and persistent in sharing his musical skill and knowledge in the renaissance of Taonga
Pūoro, instruments that are a central icon of New Zealand Māori music. Victoria University is delighted to recognise his
part in this revival and his skill as a performer,” says Professor Walsh.
Colin James will receive an honorary doctorate of literature at the University’s May graduation and Richard Nunns will
receive an honorary doctorate of music in December.
ENDS