Poet Apirana Taylor to grace Taupo Library

MEDIA RELEASE

14 July 2009

Apirana Taylor is the highlight at the Taupo Public Library for the Montana NZ Poetry Day, 24 July.

A nationally and internationally acclaimed and published Maori poet, Apirana is also a storyteller, playwright, novelist, actor and painter.  He writes his own poetry and incorporates traditional Maori and western instruments into his performance.  His poetry and short stories are studied in secondary schools, polytechnics and universities.  Apirana lives with his family at Paekakariki, near Wellington and travels extensively throughout New Zealand and overseas.

Apirana is of Maori and Pakeha descent, with proud affiliation to Ngati Porou, Te Whanau-o-apanaui and Ngati Ruanui.  Novelist Fiona Farrell describes him as “seer and shapeshifter, poet and warrior… dramatic and meditative… haka and haiku…” 

Apirana’s fifth volume of poetry ‘A canoe in midstream, poems old and new’ has just been published by Canterbury University Press.  He writes “these verses are paddles to the waka”.

Apirana’s visit to Taupo is a sponsorship by the New Zealand Book Council under the Writers to Book Groups scheme and has been jointly organised by the Taupo Library ‘Conversations with Books’ book group and the Friends of the Taupo Library. 

Apirana will read and entertain at the Library on Montana Poetry Day, 24 July from 10–11am, and 12.30–1.30pm.  This is a marvellous opportunity to hear and be entertained by an internationally recognised New Zealand poet – everybody is welcome.  Please contact Patricia McKenzie on 07 376 8230 for more details.

Renowned poet Apirana Taylor reading his poetry

Moira Pereira
Technical Services/Collections Librarian
TAUPO LIBRARY
Ph: 07 376 1579 ext. 8582 

Or

Mike Watson
Communications Advisor
Taupo District Council
Ph: 07 376 0718