Writers in Communities - Ōtāhuhu Book Launch Nov 2018

The latest chapter in the Writers in Communities - Ōtāhuhu, Auckland project occurred on 20 Nov 2018, with a book launch of poetry by young writers of Ōtāhuhu.

Extracts follow from the New Zealand Book Council article Chocolate-chip rain and trees standing tall: Writers in Communities:

Every year, five low decile schools in Ōtāhuhu, South Auckland host five diverse Aotearoa writers in residence over terms three and four. The writers encourage and inspire the students to develop their creative writing talents, and help them to publish their work in a series of anthologies.

The Ōtāhuhu journey started in 2013, when the Book Council began a conversation with the National Library and the Reading Together® programme about collaborative projects that would make a real difference in the community.

This project is the result. It gives students the chance to get up close and personal with some wonderfully creative writers, which helps provide some alternative role models for those children, and it is also uncovering some budding young authors and illustrators.

At the end of the project, the participating schools host a celebratory book launch for students and their families. Last night's launch, held at Ōtāhuhu Primary School, was a very special event attended by students and their whānau, teachers, principals, and authors Vasanti Unka, Zechariah Soakai and Sue Copsey.

The young poets read their work and Labour MP for Manukau East Hon Jenny Salesa addressed the audience afterwards.