Meri Kerihimete from all of us at the Groove Book Report
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REVIEW: HOMEGROUND - The story of a building that changes lives - Simon Wilson (Massey University Press $65)
A place for hope and transformation HomeGround, the book weaves together the various threads of creative architecture and planning acute social problems along with the power of individuals and organisations to effect social change. If you look at homeless shelters around the motu, most are tatty, rundown breeze block bunkers with peeling paint and jaded volunteers homing on a temporary, almost functionary or transactional basis. Limited resources cause all kinds of challenges but it can't stop or remedy the crowds milling outside buildings like the Auckland City Mission on Albert St. - a more obvious beacon that housing and homelessness crisis were starting to have a deep and intense impact on the country as a whole. Now days people sleeping in cars and rough on the streets is common headlines. You can't deny we have one of the highest levels of homelessness in the OECD. In 2022, HomeGround, the Auckland City Mission’s unique and visionary wrap-around social services c...
Randell Cottage celebrates 20 Years of a Room To Write
Former Randell Cottage Writers stand with HE Laurence Beau, French Ambassador to New Zealand - Photo Tim Gruar In a special ceremony held at the French Embassy in Wellington last Tuesday, Randell Cottage Writers Residence celebrated 20 years with the launch of 'Room To Write' Since 2002, 40 writers from France and Aotearoa New Zealand have made an historic cottage on a steep street in Thorndon their home while they write, the bush of Te Ahumairangi behind them and Wellington Harbour in front. To celebrate 20 creative years, the Randell Cottage Writers Trust has commissioned 'Room To Write', asking the writers for contributions that spring from the idea of ‘looking back’. All the work is presented in both English and French, with introductory essays by Dame Fiona Kidman and Beverley Randell Price. The cottage was gifted to Wellington by Beverley Randell, a descendant of the original owners, her husband Hugh Price, and their daughter Susan, as the first dedicated writers...
The Elsie Locke Writing Prize 2022
Toitoi and the Elsie Locke Trust are proud to announce the 2022 winner of the Elsie Locke Writing Prize is Emma Geddes, age 12, from St Andrews College in Christchurch. Emma won with her poem, Boy and the Grasshopper, which has been published in Toitoi 29 along with illustrations by Max Senior, age 13. Toitoi Editor, Charlotte Gibbs, says: “It was a joy to partner with the Trust and to work alongside Elsie’s family to celebrate her life and work in this annual competition. She has inspired some incredible creative writing by young people all over the country”. Elsie’s granddaughter, Jessie Moss, and her great-granddaughter, Kaahuia, age 12, judged the competition and commented: “Emma’s cleverly crafted writing makes use of every word. Over seven short verses, her story-like poem says so much. From a tiny creature’s point of view, Emma illustrates a large and complex issue. In the overwhelmi...
Jillion 2 is out!
Jillion 2 Reviewed by the Sapling ! "The young New Zealanders included are exceptional, and Toitoi is now at the stage where there will be young writers who have worked with the team behind it while at school, ready to publish their first full-length book... the future is in good hands." – Sarah Forster, The Sapling
New French writer in residence, Caroline Laurent arrives at Randell Cottage
Randall Cottage has just welcomed French writer Caroline Laurent for a short residency at Randell Cottage, after her original visit was delayed by Covid restrictions. Caroline will make an initial stay during the month of December 2022, returning for November and December 2023. She has a scheduled programme of briefings and talks ahead, enabling her to pursue her interests in the works of Katherine Mansfield and Pasifika artistic connections, as well as some quiet contemplative time in the Cottage to prepare for her next writing project. For more info see www.randellcottage.co.nz
Two Randell Cottage Writers have been honoured by Prime Pinister for their contribution to New Zealand literature
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern by Robert Kitchen / Stuff Two recent CNZ Randell Cottage writers-in-residence have received Prime Minister’s Awards for Literature. Stephanie Johnson (2016) received the prize for fiction and James Norcliffe (2018) received the prize for poetry. The awards were established in 2003 and are given in recognition of a significant contribution to New Zealand literature. Congratulations to you both! Writers honoured by prime minister for their contribution to New Zealand literature The Randell Cottage Writers Trust is also pleased to record that James Norcliffe has agreed to become a member of the Trust and will join the selection panel for future Creative New Zealand writers-in-residence at Randell Cottage. Stephanie's most recent book was Everything Changes (2021) and coming in up in April 2023 is Kind, a brilliantly satirical novel about lockdowns, survivalists and being kind. James's poetry most recent book is The Fro...