The crib of one of New Zealand's most distinguished poets, Hone Tuwhare, is about to get a $100,000 spruce-up for use in a writers' residency.
The late poet, named one of New Zealand's greatest living artists in 2003, was the recipient of many awards and fellowships, including being named Te Mata Poet Laureate and being given honorary doctorates from the universities of Otago and Auckland.
Hone Tuwhare Photo: Hone Tuwhare Charitable Trust
Now, the Hone Tuwhare Charitable Trust has received a $100,000 lottery grant to restore Tuwhare's crib (bach, to North Islanders) at Kaka Point, south of Balclutha in Otago.
The restoration work will allow it to be used as a residence for writers and artists - in what will be the first time a writers' residency will be established in the former home of a Māori writer.
"The trust is delighted that we can preserve Hone's former home as a vital first step in developing a new writers' and artists' residency," the trust's chair, Noel Waite, said.
A group of the trust's supporters - Dr Noel Waite, left, Sir Edward Ellison, Sir Jerry Mateparae, Jeanette Wikaira - and Tuwhare's son, Rob Tuwhare, at the crib. Photo: SUPPLIED / Sharron Bennett