The profile of poetry in NZ has just received a major boost in the 2007 Budget. Judith Tizard, the Minister Responsible for the National Library, has announced a New Zealand Poet Laureate Award to recognise writers who have made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand poetry!
Hooray we screamed, and no doubt our somewhat emotional response will be echoed by many of you (witness the comments attached to my report of the Montana Awards last year), the gist of which was, never say never, but if Bill Manhire’s Lifted didn’t get the Deutz Medal last year, it’s hard to imagine that any poetry would. Pretty tragic, but it's good that the extraordinary poetry we put out in this country will now get it’s very own, government-funded parade.
The New Zealand Poet Laureate Award is based on the existing Te Mata Poet Laureate scheme, which it will supersede. It’ll be set up and administered by the National Library of New Zealand. A Laureate will be selected biennially and receive an award of $50,000. And the Poet Laureate's working papers and published work will be preserved in the National Library’s National Digital Heritage Archive and in the collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library.
“Poetry is an important part of New Zealand art and culture," said Judith Tizard. "In funding this new award, the Labour-led government is acknowledging the value that New Zealanders’ place on poetry and literature as a part of our national identity.”
She congratulated John Buck, Executive Chairman of the Te Mata Estate, and Bill Manhire, Director of the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University, for their work in encouraging New Zealand’s pool of poetry talent through the Te Mata Poet Laureateship.
The timing of the first award will be advised later in the year.
21 May 07 | Filed by Kathy | Add your comment (6 so far)
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Comment by Poetania ~ May 21, 2007 7:38 PM
Just a few days ago I was wondering what happened to the Te Mata Estate Poet Laureate for 2007, since Jenny Bornholdt was chosen for 2006 but there didn't seem to be an announcement for one since. I see Dame Tizard was involved in her announcement back then so I suspect this has been in the pipeline for a while. Nice to see it become part of the national budget instead of a privately sponsored award, for a change. I wonder who the first one will be? And will they still get one of those carved sticks to beat themselves out of writers block and a years supply of vino to help them get the words back on their feet?!
Comment by Sven Solen ~ May 21, 2007 8:12 PM
Large$se from the coffers may have its place, maybe, but pleeease if we must have a Laureate, pleeease let it be that something more than money is bestowed upon. Let them have some Powers - something imaginative like naming a poet a month for New Zealand to celebrate from past and present. If we must have a Laureate give them a brief to anoint other writing talent and to have their opinions sought on times of importance. A poem for Helen anyone?
Comment by Poetania ~ May 22, 2007 8:12 PM
A poem for Helen? Oh God No (as much as she is as deserving as any other PM)! Remember that poem the British poet laureate had to write for the Lions after their mauling by the All Blacks? I might have the timing wrong, I'm not sure when it was written exactly but Poems To Order are bound to be...well...sub-standard to say the least. Who are we trying to please after all? May as well go write ditties and jingles for ads on TV (probably makes more money AND it definitely has a larger audience) than slave over the page on something the poet laureate cares nothing about (or has nothing to say about, in any case). I like the idea of this King or Queen going about bestowing kind praise and platitudes to twelve minions a year - Poets of the Month - but it reeks of the kind of thing a hardward shop has to do to motivate it's employees - a carpark close to the store entrance with a gold sign that says "employee of the month", just in case your mates don't know you're the Wally that one it this time round. Would you stick your hand up for Poet of the Month with this in mind? The first day of the next month you're already "so last month"! You jest, sir, surely?
Comment by Poetania ~ May 22, 2007 8:15 PM
Darn - should have been "won" not "one" - not that anyone is probably listening. grin
Comment by Jim ~ May 22, 2007 9:52 PM
Ah write short poeyums, so 15 minutes seems like a long time to me.
NakiMaki
Comment by Sven Solen ~ May 23, 2007 2:35 AM
OK, so a little tongue in cheek to suggest the Laureate actually be a ... Laureate and perform something for the stipend. Again, all very laudable, but did it have to be a Laureate - Kaumatua I could understand. grin and bear it.
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