A Circle of Laureates

A Writers Week special event for the New Zealand Festival

This event was held at the National Library of New Zealand, on Friday 11 March 2016
The National Library and Te Mata Estate Winery co-hosted this evening of poetry from our nine Poets Laureate. The Laureates were joined by Rob Tuwhare - son of the second Te Mata Laureate, Hone Tuwhare – who read his father’s work, and thereby completed the Laureate circle.

MC Fergus Barrowman directed proceedings and a full house of 200 gave Laureates Bill Manhire, Elizabeth Smither, Brian Turner, Jenny Bornholdt, Michele Leggott, Cilla McQueen, Ian Wedde, Vincent O’Sullivan, Rob Tuwhare and current Laureate CK Stead, their rapt attention for more than two hours.

Read Poet Paula Green’s lyrical response to the evening
See more photos from the event on the National Library's Facebook page

A Circle of Laureates was recorded for RNZ National, the New Zealand Electronic Poetry Centre and the National Library.

Laureates and audience – from left: MC Fergus Barrowman, Vincent O’Sullivan, Ian Wedde, CK Stead, Cilla McQueen, Michele Leggott, Jenny Bornholdt, Elizabeth Smither and Brian Turner.