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A major anthology of Maori poetry launched in Auckland this week is expected to have a long shelf-life.
Puna Wai Korero collects poetry written by Maori in English from Apirana Ngata to today's slam poets.
Editor Reina Whaitiri says good poetry reaches into every age, and the work of poets like Hone Tuwhare and Jacqui Sturm will live on because of what they say about ebign human and being Maori.
She says it was a real pleasure to collect the poems by searching libraries, anthologies, magazines and other print sources, and talking to other poets.
She says the state of Maori poetry is in good health, from the contributions of co-editor Robert Sullivan to the younger performance and slam poets who have rejuvenated writing and reciting poetry.
"Those poems in that anthology will be around for a long time I hope. If the schools take up this anthology as a teaching tool our children will be well served, because many of the poems are looking at the world through Maori eyes and Maori experiences," Whaitiri says.
Puna Wai Korero: An Anthology of Maori Poetry in English is published by Auckland University Press.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH REINA WHAITIRI CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjI2OTM=
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