Shortland Street
Composer | 2023 Television Drama Series
In 2023, I became the composer and music supervisor of the series Shortland Street. I have now written music for over three-hundred episodes. The show is the longest-running drama series on New Zealand television, having just celebrated its 31st birthday. The show airs 5 episodes a week, running Monday to Friday.
A cultural phenomenon, Shortland Street, is one of New Zealand's most-watched shows.
The show airs at 7:00 pm on weeknights on TV2, or can be watched on TVNZ OnDemand.
DEAD
Composer (with Tom McLeod & James Euringer)
| 2020 Feature Film
Dead is a 2020 horror-comedy feature film directed by Hayden J Weal and starring Thomas Sainsbury. I wrote the music with the accomplished New Zealand film composer Tom McLeod and James Euringer.
The film follows a stoner who can see ghosts (Thomas Sainsbury). He teams up with the ghost of a dead police officer (Hayden J Weal), to help him solve his own murder.
The score is a twisted orchestral adventure, complete with pounding synthesisers and operatic choirs.
The film was released on September 17th to a wide theatre release, before being released by TVNZ OnDemand.
High Tide Don’t Hide
Composer | 2021 Feature Documentary
High Tide Don’t Hide is a feature documentary following the School Strike for Climate in New Zealand.
The film was shown in New Zealand parliament in a special screening hosted by politician Chloë Swarbrick the day after a climate emergency was declared.
The film then played in cinemas across New Zealand during the 2021 Doc Edge Film Festival. The film was also selected for the 2021 Hawai‘i International Film Festival.
The film can now be watched on TVNZ OnDemand, and on PBS in the US.
Dazzlehands!
Composer | 2024 Orginal Ballet Production
Commissioned and staged by the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company, this original ballet “Dazzlehands” is based on the New Zealand Children’s book of the same name. Dazzlehands is about a pig who, much to the chagrin of the farmer, won’t say ‘oink’ and instead says ‘Dazzlehands!’
The music of Dazzlehands is fun and energetic, with genre-bending elements and featuring flaming saxophone licks and solos from Joshua Blucker.
Ave Marie
Composer | 2024 Short Film
Set in 1980s Aotearoa suburbia, this charming short film from writer-director Celestina Sumby weaves a nostalgic fairy-tale about embracing individuality, confronting bullies, and the joy of dance.
The subtle score blends ethereal choral writing with twinkly and sparkly percussion. The music intertwines with a varied diegetic soundtrack, from classical Tchaikovsky to an energetic 80s dance-off, helping to create a seamless emotional journey throughout the film.
Lover’s Got The Runs
Composer | 2024 Short Film
Winner of the 48-Hour National Best Music Award!
This film was made as part of the popular and competitive New Zealand 48-Hour Film Festival. Featuring a fun score, and a catchy song— which was co-written with actor and vocalist Jthan Morgan.
This film was nominated for various awards at the regional Wellington finals, coming away with the Best Music Award. The film then made it to the Grand Finals, where it again won the Best Music Award. Sir Peter Jackson called out the film as one of his six favorite films of the competition..
Helen Kelly - Together
Music Editor | 2020 Feature Documentary
This feature documentary follows the New Zealand activist Helen Kelly in the last 9 months of her life. For this project, I worked closely with the legendary New Zealand musician David Long, who with the help of Plan 9 and Riki Gooch wrote the music for the film. The music was composed independently from the picture, I cut the music to the film and shaped it around the scenes under the guidance of David Long.
The film played in the 2019 NZIFF to sold-out screenings, before its nationwide cinema release on the 6th of February 2020. The film can now be watched on NZ Film On Demand.
The Generation Gardener
Composer | 2023 Documentary
This heartfelt short documentary, directed by Luke Ross, is about the struggles and life of a local Aotearoa bonsai artist.
For the soundtrack of this film, I collaborated with clarinet player, Joshua Buckler, who brought a unique and special touch to the project.
The project premiered on RNZ and was released online by Someday Stories, before playing on Whakaata Māori.
Follow The Light
Composer | 2023 Short Film
Follow The Light is a short fantasy film. Set against the backdrop of Māori mythology; it is an Indigenous take on the fantasy genre.
I collaborated with Mere Skerrett who contributed the sounds of taonga pūoro and wrote an original karanga for the film. These indigenous instruments are woven into the overall musical tapestry, creating a sweeping and emotionally charged score.
Mawhialeo Ote Alowha
Composer | 2020 Short Documentary
This short documentary follows Meli and her husband Avito reflecting on the most pivotal decision of their lives. With much trepidation, they left the tiny atoll of Tokelau for New Zealand seeking a better life for their blind son.
The film features fatele composed by Meli and Avito, as well as traditional songs originating from Tokelau. The film played in the 2020 Hawai‘i International Film Festival and the 2021 Doc Edge Film Festival.
The Death of Hector | 2023 Short Film
Composer
This epic historical fantasy short film retells the legendary duel between the Homeric heroes Achilles and Hector during the Trojan War.