The following speech by Gregory O'Brien was delivered at the launch of two poetry collections, He's So MASC by Chris Tse and Pasture and Flock: New and Selected Poems by Anna Jackson, at the Wellington Writers & Readers Festival.I can’t be the first

New Zealand’s Poet Laureate for 2017–19 is Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh.The Poet Laureate is one of the most prestigious national awards for New Zealand poets, recognising outstanding contributions to New Zealand poetry. Each Laureate is awarded $80,000

Maualaivao Albert Wendt ONZ, CNZM, was made one of only 20 members of the Order of New Zealand in 2013. Maualaivao Albert has published his poetry with Auckland University Press for many years as well as and three influential, edited volumes of Pacif