System Virtue

This evocative music video scored a double-header: it was voted best video at both the NZ Music Awards, and the NZ Film and Television Awards. Emma Paki won gongs for singing and songwriting. Director Josh Frizzell mixes images of Paki singing on the streets with often sombre portraits of locals in their element, from children to gang members. Widely regarded as Paki's magnum opus, System Virtue became one of the most played local music videos of 1994. Killing Joke's Jaz Coleman produced the song; a much lusher version later appeared on 1996 album Oxygen of Love. 

An amazing one-off in NZ pop culture, Emma Paki’s ‘System Virtue’ still sounds like nothing else, and its haunting tones still have the capacity to send shivers down the spine.

– Writer Gary Steel, in his AudioCulture profile of Emma Paki

Key Cast & Crew

Darryl Ward

Cinematographer

Josh Frizzell

Director

Matt Noonan

Producer

Jonathan Venz

Editor