Robert Sullivan in support at Hone Tuwhare’s Crib Opening, Kaka Point 21st Oct 2022
The Tuwhare Trust is sending a BIG MIHI AROHA to Robert Sullivan (Ngapuhi, Kai Tahu) today as he is handed the tokotoko of Aotearoa’s Poet Laureate to hold for the next three years (2025–2028). We are SO thrilled to hear this news. Robert is an extraordinary poet, storyteller and voice for our times. Nga mihi e hoa, Hone would be proud, we are all so very proud of you.
The Tuwhare Whanau. XX
The Hone Tuwhare Trust is proud and excited to announce the 2025–26 successful Tuwhare Residency Programme recipients.
Te Kaituhi o Tuwhare Creative Writing Resident is Nadine Hura (Ngapuhi, Ngati Hine, Pakeha).
Te Pane Kaka o Tuwhare Poetry Resident is Isla Huia (Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi, Uenuku).
Te Ringatoi o Tuwhare Creative Resident is Ashleigh Zimmerman (Kai Tahu).
It is a privilege and a pleasure to be able to support these artists through the Tuwhare Residency Programme, and to welcome them into our Tuwhare Trust whanau and wider creative community.
Orangatonutanga, aroha, te reo Maori and a deep contemplation of Te Taiao were themes throughout the successful applicants’ proposed plans for their residencies. It will be exciting to see the world through their creative lenses as a result of being resident in Hone Tuwhare’s crib at Kaka Point.
The residency programme not only honours Hone Tuwhare’s extraordinary literary legacy but also plays a vital role in fostering Maori and Aotearoa creative voices nationally. By elevating indigenous voices, our aim is to contribute to a richer, more expansive national cultural dialogue.
Previous Tuwhare Residencies have been held by Tame Iti (Ngai Tuhoe, Te Arawa, Waikato), Tracey Tawhiao (Ngai te Rangi, Whakatohea, Ngati Tuwharetoa) and Ati Teepa (Tuhoe, Kai Tahu).
Generous funding from Creative New Zealand and the Sargood Bequest has supported the Tuwhare Residency Programme and we are so very grateful.
Mauri Ora!!
Calling poets, creative writers and artists!!! The Tuwhare Trust is welcoming applications for the newly developed Tuwhare Residency Programme. We have 3 residencies available:
This opportunity gives 3 creatives — a poet, an artist and a creative writer — the chance to stay, write, think and create in Hone Tuwhare’s crib at Kaka Point. We invite you to explore these residencies and apply! Applications close June 1 2025.
The residencies are made possible with thanks to support from Creative New Zealand and The Sargood Bequest. The Tuwhare Trust is truly grateful for this as it enables us to support Aotearoa’s writers and creatives.
Head to this link Tuwhare Residency Programme — The Hone Tuwhare Charitable Trust to find out more — and apply.
Nau mai, haere mai koutou ma.
Friend
Do you remember
that wild stretch of land
with the lone tree guarding the point
from the sharp-tongued sea?
The fort we built out of branches
wrenched from the tree
is dead wood now.
The air that was thick with the whirr of
toetoe spear succumbs at last to the grey gull’s wheel.
Oyster-studded roots
of the mangrove yield no finer feast
of silver-bellied eels, and sea-snails
cooked in a rusty can.
Allow me to mend the broken ends
of shared days:
but I wanted to say
that the tree we climbed
that gave food and drink
to youthful dreams, is no more.
Pursed to the lips her fine-edged
leaves made whistle — now stamp
no silken tracery on the cracked
clay floor.
Friend,
in this drear
dreamless time I clasp
your hand if only to reassure
that all our jewelled fantasies were
real and wore splendid rags.
Perhaps the tree
will strike fresh roots again:
give soothing shade to a hurt and
troubled world.
