On The Bus, an Auahi Kore (Smoke Free) tour by contemporary Maori writers and storytellers, will return to the Far North from Monday 7 to Friday 11 April. It is a great chance for people to experience poetic k?rero (storytelling) in Maori and English.

Writers will be reading from their latest novels and poetry - bringing their entertaining and enlightening performances to schools, libraries and communities.This is the third time that On the Bus has toured to Te Tai Tokerau. Joe Harawira, a storyteller from Huntly, will be accompanied on the tour by Apirana Taylor, Hinemoana Baker and Kelly Ana Morey.

All the writers are well-published and are in high demand for touring overseas - they will be preparing special performances of their latest works for the tour. Hinemoana Baker is both a poet and singer-songwriter; she was one of the musicians to compose and perform for the Tuwhare show and CD, honouring the words of poet Hone Tuwhare. Joe Harawira, has been a guest performer at the Yukon International Storytelling Festival in Canada. Kelly Ana Morey's latest novel On an island, with consequences dire was published in 2007. Apirana Taylor has toured India and throughout Europe with his storytelling, poetry.

On The Bus will visit schools and communities in Kawakawa, Paihia, Kaikohe, Kerikeri, Moerewa and Whangarei, providing a programme of fun, thought-provoking prose and compassionate selections from the writers' works.

Pictured: Joe Harawira, storyteller 05/04/08