Our first Matariki event was an afternoon tea with distinguished Maori writer Patricia Grace at the refurbished Edwardian Masonic Hotel in Devonport.
Mere Whaanga
Patricia was introduced by Mere Whaanga who is currently the writer in residence at the Michael King Centre in Devonport.
Patricia Grace has just launched her new novel, Chappy, her first major fiction work in ten years, and shared her thoughtful perspectives on the writing of both fiction and non-fiction, as well as some insights into Chappy.
There was an excellent half-hour interview with Patricia on Kathryn Ryan’s Nine to Noon programme on RadioNZ recently:
We’re looking forward to the 20th anniversary season of Briar Grace Smith’s play, Nga Pou Wahine, and in the local area, a Hikoi discussing the early Maori settlement of Te Henga with Kawerau A Maki historian, Rewi Spraggon. Plus several films and art exhibitions, and an evening of Matariki music at the Corban Estate.
Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood
Public Good
Patricia Grace is such a wonderful writer and person. We were at the set up and opening of the Women’s Gallery together in 1980, for a whole week of readings, performances and exhibition of women artists. I was so pleased that she won the battle for her ancestral land recently. (Keri Hulme was there too, before the publication of The Bone People. What an exciting time it was. Nancy Peterson and Kanya Stewart captured all of it on video.