Inspired by purpose

The late Emeritus Distinguished Professor Richie Poulton (CNZM, FRSNZ) was, and continues to be, an inspiration to many.

One of those inspired by the former Director of the Dunedin Study is Media Producer Jonathan Molloy, who produced a documentary called Driven by purpose: Richie Poulton’s legacy. The documentary highlights Richie’s mahi and his immense contribution towards the betterment of all New Zealanders.

“I listened to Richie’s interview with Kim Hill on National Radio where he was speaking about his life, the Dunedin Study and his cancer diagnosis,” Jonathan says.

“I reached out to Richie and asked if he would be keen on a documentary about his work and life.”

Jonathan, who works with Otago’s Media Production Unit (MPU), has an interest in the Study, it’s significance and how it has influenced policy and laws around the world.

“I wanted to focus the film on meaning and purpose, exploring how Richie obtained a sense of purpose through his work, and the benefits of the Study research.”

Richie was keen on the idea, Jonathan says.

“Asking Richie about his purpose and what drove him was how we came up with the idea of highlighting the interventions informed by the Study findings.”

The film features three intervention studies, Te Kura Mai i Tawhiti, Kia Tīmata Pai: The Best Start Study and Just a Thought.

Interviewing Study collaborators involved travel, Jonathan says.

“I travelled to New Plymouth to interview Dr Aroaro Tamati from Te Kopae Piripono, who worked with Richie on the Te Kura Mai i Tawhiti intervention, and to Invercargill to interview BestStart staff who are part of the Kia Tīmata Pai intervention.

“Some, like CEO of the Wise Group, Shelley Campbell and Just a Thought’s Charlie David and Anna Elders, came down to Dunedin for filming.”

Richie’s daughter Priyanka Poulton also features in the video and the idea for that came from Richie, Jonathan says.

“When I was interviewing Richie, he said it would be nice to involve Priyanka in some way.

“As I was editing the video, I realised it was perfect to have her as a narrator to link up the different parts of the film.”

Priyanka also helped with some of the photographs and the music featured in the film, Jonathan says.

“I wanted to use music that was meaningful to Richie, music that he would have listened to when he was at university.

“Priyanka helped by talking to Richie’s friends about his favourite music and bands.”

Getting the rights to use the music wasn’t an easy task, Jonathan says.

“There were three different parties who had to approve of our use of their music. With a bit of work, we managed to get it across the line.”

The film was nearly two years in the making and Jonathan is very grateful for all the support he has received to bring it to fruition, he says.

“My team lead was supportive of this project, and I was able to do this work in between other projects.

“I am also thankful to everyone who featured in the video, who took the time to talk about their work with Richie and the Study.”

For now, Jonathan is on to other projects, with an eye out for opportunities to make another documentary, he says.

“At the MPU we’ve always got projects on the go, like the one I’m working on now, a series of educational videos for the Faculty of Dentistry.

“While I don’t have another project on the scale of Richie’s video in the near future, it would be nice to tell more Otago stories through film.”

Driven by purpose has received some wonderful feedback with everyone involved happy with the end result, Jonathan says.

“Most importantly, Richie’s family, they are really pleased with the film.”

Study Research Manager and Professor Poulton’s wife Dr Sandhya Ramrakha said Jonathan did a wonderful job of capturing Richie’s spirit and passion.

“I particularly like that he has highlighted the ongoing work that was so important to Richie, using the Dunedin Study findings to make a difference to people’s lives.

“One of the projects featured in the film, Kia Timata Pai co-led by Professor Elaine Reece, recently received $3 million from the Marsden Fund to continue their work. This would have thrilled Richie no end!”

~ Kōrero by Sandra French, Adviser, Internal Communications