The former dealt with his cancer diagnosis and subsequent loss of freedom, drawing analogy between the limitations imposed by the disease and a prison sentence.

The advertisement he created for the 1999 competition was officially adopted by TVNZ and played on television for its message concerning road safety.

His illness also helped to inspire Fran Walsh to write the lyrics for the Oscar-winning song, "Into the West" for the film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

[2] After his death, his work as well as an explanatory documentary was put onto the Extended Edition DVD set for The Return of the King.

[3][4] On the set of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, he received blessings from Viggo Mortensen and Sir Ian McKellen as well as a signed photo from John Rhys-Davies.