First Pasifika woman awarded NZ Poet Laureate
Saturday, 26 August 2017
New Zealand has awarded a Pacific woman as the nation's Poet Laureate for the next two years on National Poetry Day.
Selina Tusitala Marsh, of Samoan, Tuvaluan, Scottish and French descent, takes up one of the most prestigious national awards recognising outstanding contributions to New Zealand poetry.
Last year Dr Marsh was selected to be the Commonwealth Poet to perform for the Queen.
She has been awarded over US$57,000 or NZ$80,000 over two years by the National Library of New Zealand to create new work and promote poetry throughout the country.
She also received a carved tokotoko or orator's stick.
"To be recognised in this way is breath-taking. To occupy the role is breath-giving - I can't wait to take the Laureate's tokotoko to the people and make poetry," Dr Marsh said in a statement.
She was the first Pacific Islander to graduate with a PhD in English from the University of Auckland.
A strong advocate for Pasifika poetry and literature, Dr Marsh lectures at Auckland University, specialising in Māori and Pacific literature.
She is the award-winning author of three collections of poetry, including her new book, Tightrope, which was launched on Friday.
- Radio NZ
Read the article on Radio NZ website and view the video interview there.