10 Jul 2015

Poet wins chance to work with Witi

8:53 pm on 10 July 2015

A Māori poet has been chosen for an all-expenses paid trip to Canada for an indigenous writing residency with Witi Ihimaera.

National Poetry Slam Champion Te Kahu Rolleston

National Poetry Slam Champion Te Kahu Rolleston Photo: SUPPLIED

National Poetry Slam champion Te Kahu Rolleston is one of only two New Zealanders heading to Banff in September.

His trip is fully funded by Creative New Zealand and involves taking part in a three-week workshop and then another three months of correspondence.

Mr Rolleston said he was overwhelmed at being chosen.

"I'm buzzing and amazed. I'm just really happy to be able to spend time with Witi Ihimaera; he's a legendary person that we've all grown up reading. Just meeting him is an amazing opportunity but to be able to sit down and speak with him is 'ahhh'."

Mr Rolleston said it would be an invaluable experience and he hoped to set up his own Te Reo Māori poetry slam competition next year.

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