Who was Hone Tuwhare?

Hone Tuwhare was New Zealand’s most distinguished Ma¯ ori poet writing in English and a playwright and author of short fiction.

Born in Kaikohe, he began writing during his apprenticeship on the railways, where he became involved in trade unions.

He was an organiser of the first Maori Writers and Artists Conference at Te Kaha in 1973 and participated in the 1975 Maori Land March.

Tuwhare won two Montana NZ Book Awards, was Te Mata Poet Laureate, and held two honorary doctorates in literature.

In 2003 he was among 10 of New Zealand’s greatest living artists named as Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Artists. His most wellknown poems are Rain, Child Coming Home in the Rain from the Store, No Ordinary Sun and The Old Place.

Source — Read NZ