Meet the People - 2

Waitangi Day Celebrations, Christchurch Art gallery, Feb 2009. Ajr

Another in the Series Meet the People – Contemporary Maori Doing Ordinary and Extraordinary Things – Lyttelton-based Ben Brown introduced himself as “the barefoot Maori poet” when he performed at the Waitangi Day ceremony at Christchurch Art Gallery on February 6th but he’s more than that. In addition to his moving poems that often draw on Maori history, Ben is the author of a number of children’s books including “A Booming in the Night” which won Best Picture Book in the New Zealand Post Book Awards in 2006 plus “The Thief of Colours, Eel Dreaming and The Rainmakers and more. He has also published his own memoir, " A Fish in the Swim of the World." Born in Motueka, near Nelson he worked a number of jobs before turning his hand to publishing and writing in 1992 - most often in collaboration with his wife, well known illustrator, Helen Taylor. He regularly recites his poetry at festivals and public events.