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2018 HONOURED NEW ZEALAND WRITER
120 SPECIAL FREE EVENT
WITI IHIMAERA
SUNDAY MAY 20 – 6.00-7.00PM ASB THEATRE, AOTEA CENTRE
for Ma- ori artists, as well as for Ma- ori and New Zealand literature. Salute his remarkable achievements in an hour chaired by Paula Morris.
Free event.
The writing of Witi Ihimaera (Te Aitanga-a-Maha- ki, Tu- hoe, Te Wha- nau-a- -Apanui) has touchd generations of readers. The rst Ma- ori writer to publish both a book of short stories and a novel, he has since written
more than 30 books for adults and children, as well as screenplays, scripts, essays and libretto. Born in Gisborne, Ihimaera worked in the diplomatic service through the 1970s and 1980s, eventually taking up the position of Professor of Creative Writing at The University of Auckland. His best- known novel is The Whale Rider, made into the award-winning lm. Other novels adapted for the screen include Nights in the Garden of Spain, Bulibasha and Medicine Woman. He is the recipient of numerous awards including:
Book of the Year at the New Zealand Book Awards; an inaugural Star of Oceania Award from the University
of Hawaii; a laureate award from the New Zealand Arts Foundation; the
Toi Ma- ori Maui Tiketike Award; the premiere Ma- ori arts award Te Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi; and the Premio Ostana International Award. He is
a Distinguished Companion of the Order of New Zealand. Beyond the prizes, Ihimaera is a respected voice on Ma- ori, Paci c and indigenous affairs, and advocates compellingly
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