Kapiti Island will again host New Zealand's only known Maori writer's residency during Matariki, Maori New Year, 2009.
The Tau mai e Kapiti Maori Writer's Residency, funded by Te Waka Toi/Creative New Zealand and hosted by Kaitiaki o Kapiti Trust, was held for the first time in June and July 2008, allowing a Maori writer to live and work on Kapiti Island for eight weeks while being paid a stipend. Kapiti Island will again host New Zealand's only known Maori writer's residency during Matariki, Maori New Year, 2009.
The Tau mai e Kapiti Maori Writer's Residency, funded by Te Waka Toi/Creative New Zealand and hosted by Kaitiaki o Kapiti Trust, was held for the first time in June and July 2008, allowing a Maori writer to live and work on Kapiti Island for eight weeks while being paid a stipend.John Barrett of the Trust says it's great news that the residency has received funding for a second year.
"The first Tau Mai e Kapiti writer in residence was Paora Tibble and it was great to host him," says John Barrett.
"Paora worked on his te reo Maori novel for young readers. We're looking forward to applications from a new bunch of writers from all genres, and to hopefully helping another book into the world."
The northern end of Kapiti includes the island's last remaining Maori-owned land, adjoining the internationally regarded predator-free nature reserve Kapiti is well known for.
"The idea is that the writer gets a chance to hear some of the stories of this island, historical and contemporary, and to create their own writings in this extraordinary natural environment," says Minnie Clark from the Kaitiaki o Kapiti Trust.
The northern end of the Island is currently the home of the Barretts and their extended whanau, descendants of the Ngati Toa, Te Āti Awa and Ngati Raukawa confederation. The Barrett whanau run the Kapiti Nature Lodge. The Tau mai e Kapiti Maori Writer's Residency takes its name from a patere (chant) composed in the 1930s by Kingi Tahiwi, whose Raukawa whakapapa connects him to the Kapiti whanau.
The call will go out very soon inviting applications for the residency. The closing date for applications is 27 February 2009. The selection panel's decision will be announced in early April 2009.
For more information:
John Barrett
Kaitiaki o Kapiti Trustee
Mobile: 027 288 3771
john@kapitiislandalive.co.nz
www.kapitiislandalive.co.nz
For an application form, write to:
Minnie Clark
Tau mai e Kapiti
Maori Writer's Residency 2009
P O Box 28
Otaki 5560
Aotearoa / New ZealanD
or email: minnie@kapitiislandalive.co.nz
10/12/08