This January has been tinged with sadness for Kiwis following the passing of two great New Zealanders. Last week, the world said farewell to one of the greatest explorers ever to have lived, Sir Edmund Hillary. This week, the nation mourns the passing of Hone Tuwhare, New Zealand's second Poet Laurate and the first Maori poet to be published in English. He was 86.
Hillary's feats need little introduction and will remain forever in legend amongst humankind's most compelling endeavours. As a poet, Tuwhare's accomplishments were of a more understated nature and although he is not as well known internationally as 'Sir Ed' his poetic legacy will live on in the country of his birth.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said in a statement that Tuwhare had made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand literature. "His poetry contained powerful imagery of our land, sea and legends, and often expressed strong views on contemporary issues".
Associated Press reports:
Tuwhare's work, spanning more than 40 years, was popular among poetry connoisseurs and general readers alike. He was named New Zealand's Te Mata Poet Laureate in 1999, won two Montana New Zealand Book Awards for poetry and was awarded honorary doctorates of literature by Auckland and Otago Universities.
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