Going Going Gone West

Yesterday afternoon we visited Henderson Library to take in their collection of audio files from the Going West Book Festival going back to the start in 1996. This made an interesting change fro sitting in our class. The very nice librarians welcomed us and played some recordings that Robert had requested. We started with an interview with Kate de Goldi just after she had published the 10pm Question. David Larsen was the interviewer. She sounds so warm and friendly with a real interest in understanding young people just before they enter puberty-  the time before "the fall" she refers to it as.
She says she had a very enjoyable childhood herself and she thinks writers of fiction have very good memories, especially those that write for children. She says her sister asks her to "Tell me again about our wonderful childhood".
She has a particular interest in how mental illness of a family member affects everyone in the family. She regards classrooms as a form of family.
Then it was Selina Marsh talking about her mother as the original "fast talking PI". She talked about poems not been fixed on the page, you can change them or grow them depending on your audience. Fast Talking PI is 14 minutes all up, but we got the 3 minute version. Go Selina. She talks about reclaiming the term Afekasi and becoming empowered. She believed in open access.
Micahel King was in discussion with Dorothy Urlich Cloher, talking about her just published biography of Hongi Hika called Hongi Hika: Warrior Chief, recorded in 2004. They discussed that vexed question of writing biography, of getting permission from descendants, how in Maori culture there is a concept of "ownership of ancestors". Her book was scrupulously researched and a riveting read according to Michael King and I have requested a copy from the library because it is such a fascinating period of our history.
Karlo Mila read a poem about the death of the Tongan King, and who had enough mana to douse the fire after his burial. It was a great commentary on colonialism and neo-colonialism. I would like to read it to get the full depth of it.
Finally we got to listen to the late, great Hone Tuwhare. Monologue was wonderful, the lovely Scots accent. I have worked with men that talk just like that. His wonderful warm wit and humour. The a very sensual poem based on the Song of Solomon, so wicked and warm.