‘Cousins’ author Patricia Grace to take part in Rotorua festival showcasing Maori literature
Aaron Smale/Supplied
Patricia Grace, one of New Zealand’s most prominent and famous Maori fiction writers and a leading figure in modern New Zealand literature, is among the attendees of the Kupu Maori Writers’ Festival.
A Maori Writers Festival is being launched in Rotorua and will feature top writers including Patricia Grace.
The Kupu Māori Writers’ Festival is set to launch in June with the help of a $20,000 grant from the Rotorua Trust.
Held from June 12-18 at various venues in Rotorua, including three local marae, Rotorua Library, McLeod Bookshop and local schools, the festival aims to support and encourage Maori literature in Aotearoa.
The event brings some of New Zealand’s finest writers to Rotorua to share their experiences and achievements through engaging kōrero and wānanga.
READ MORE:
* Patricia Grace’s novel Cousins finally hits the big screen
* Week-long spotlight on te reo Māori as part of a broader focus on language revitalization
* Maori culture makes its way to Womad
* Waru: The nine Maori filmmakers united in their passion to start a conversation
Well-known writers Patricia Grace, Sir Tīmoti Kāretu, Dr. Rangi Mātāmua and Dr. Ngahuia Murphy will speak at the event.
Voluntarily organized during the school term, the festival welcomes students with the aim of supporting aspiring writers and promoting the importance of reading and writing.
Festival director Rangitihi Pene said the festival spotlights, celebrates and honors Maori writers while supporting new and upcoming writers.
“We wanted to provide a platform to showcase their work, giving them the opportunity to impart knowledge through wānanga.
Provided
Makoha Gardiner, director of the Rangitihi Pene festival, and Robyn Rangihuia Bargh in front of Te Papaiouru Marae in Ōhinemutu, where the kupu festival will be inaugurated with a pōwhiri.
“The event welcomes experienced Maori writers to share their experience and wisdom while new writers can learn practical skills and build professional relationships.
“We will have school visits where writers will talk to students in te reo Maori and English about how they got into writing and how they published their work,” Pene said.
“We hope this will allow tamariki to meet the writers who reflect the values and stories they most identify with.”
Pene says funding from Rotorua Trust will help defray the cost of setting up the inaugural event, which he hopes will turn into an annual event.
Rotorua Trust Chairman Stewart Edward said the event would involve many local businesses, marae and kura, providing education and employment opportunities, particularly for Maori-run businesses.
“There are a few literary festivals in New Zealand, but they are often reported as lacking Maori participation. We believe this event will help bring people together, supporting both te reo Māori and the English language in Rotorua.
The event is open to everyone, and anyone unable to attend in person will be able to watch it via webcasts, podcasts, interviews and other online features.
