A Weaving of Words from the East Coast

Kaituhi Rāwhiti Two is the new collection of writings from the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island and will be launched on the 16th of December at the Waikanae Surf Lifesaving Club, Gisborne.

One short-story and two poems written by myself were graciously accepted and are included. It makes me very proud to have my writings accepted by my fellow Gizzy Authors, and included in amongst other writers from the region.

I was born in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa and grew up on some of the surrounding farmlands - Te Karaka, Tiniroto, Waingake - and moved into town at 11 years of age. I remember writing my first story at about the age of 9 or 10, and continued on from there, self-publishing my first and second novels on Amazon, and designing and producing my first collection of poetry and prose The Tasman Journey myself, financing, printing and distributing the book to numerous Paper Plus and independent book stores throughout the North Island from my car.

Although I have lived elsewhere throughout Aotearoa, and have currently returned to The Tasman District, it is, without doubt, Te Tairāwhiti where I feel most at home: it is the place I grew into my teenage years, it is the place I always returned to as an adult, and throughout my poetry, stories, and many other pieces of writing, Tūranganui-a-Kiwa is never far from my thoughts. 

Many thanks to Regina de Wolf-Ngarimu for the support and encouragement; to the editors and staff who worked on the book, and Gillian Moon and Aaron Compton.