Poet’s term extended

DUNEDIN poet David Eggleton has had his term as New Zealand poet laureate extended for a third year because of Covid19.

Eggleton (68), a former University of Otago Burns Fellow, was inaugurated at a ceremony at Matahiwi marae in Hawke’s Bay at the weekend.

Eggleton said people now faced ‘‘an uncertain and perilous time’’ because of the pandemic.

“The poet, in my book, is an essential worker.

‘‘Poems help the world go around.’’

PHOTO: HAWKE’S BAY TODAY David Eggleton holds a tokotoko at Matahiwi marae in Hawke’s Bay at the weekend.