New Maori Literary Journal showcases emerging writers

MEDIA RELEASE

2 December 2011

New Maori Literary Journal showcases emerging writers

A new biennial Maori literary journal – called Ora Nui – will be launched in Auckland on Monday. Editor Anton Blank says the journal has been developed to showcase new and emerging Maori talent.

“The journal features work from established and emerging Maori writers.” Anton said.

“Maori writers are now developing work in a whole range of genres. As well as traditional forms like poetry, prose and fiction, script writing for theatre, television and film is becoming a much more important part of our literature.

“Ora Nui aims to give space for these different writing forms.”

The project was made possible with funding from Creative New Zealand.

“Maori writing is located across a wide range of publications. I wanted to gather as much Maori writing as possible to see if there is a distinctive Maori voice.

“The collection shows that while our traditions are important to us, Maori writers are embracing their contemporary experiences. So some of the new material is less distinctively Maori and challenges the existing notions of what constitutes Maori writing.”

ENDS

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