THE GROOVE BOOK REPORT

The lost art of letter writing and reading will be reignited at Live Letters, a special fundraising event on July 15. Raise the Roof for Randell Cottage: Live Letters  brings together an eclectic group of literary luminaries to read aloud poignant, powerful, and amusing letters from the past. Based on a similar concept popular in the UK, Wellington’s first Live Letters is a benefit concert in aid of beloved historic Thorndon writer’s residence Randell Cottage, which is in need of a new roof. The letter-reading line-up of 12 will include writers who have held residencies at the cottage alongside current bestselling novelists Emily Perkins and Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, historian Vincent O’Malley, foreign correspondent Anna Fifield, and Dan Henry, ‘the voice of Country Calendar’. Berlin-based poet and current Randell Cottage resident Hinemoana Baker will also join the line-up, chaired by Supreme Court Judge Justice Sir Stephen Kos. The letters themselves will be kept a surpris...

Former resident at Randell Cottage, Tina Makereti , has launched a challenging new book, The Mires, that tackles big subjects – identity, racism, intolerance and what happens when that becomes extremism. It is set in the near future,  in a small New Zealand coastal settlement, where three women find themselves neighbours. Single mum of Former resident at Randell Cottage, Tina Makereti, has launched a challenging new book, The Mires, that tackles big subjects – identity, racism, intolerance and what happens when that becomes extremism. It is set in the near future,  in a small New Zealand coastal settlement, where three women find themselves neighbours. Single mum of two Keri, Janet an older woman with an opinion on everything, and Sera, who has sought refuge in New Zealand from ecological devastation in Europe. Tina Makereti is the author of two novels, Former resident at Randell Cottage,  Tina Makereti , has launched a challenging new book,  The Mires ,...