Two of our Writing Prefects tell us more:

Session One: Making a Life in the Arts (Megan & Laura): Steff Green and Gareth Ward

The session began with a presentation by Gareth Ward, a New Zealand magician and childrens’ author. Also known as the Great Wardini, Gareth has had a richly varied life, and believes that this is what has made him successful as a writer. Before he became an author, he worked as a Marine commando, a police officer, and as a zombie in a haunted house – all ‘jobs where you get to wear really cool hats’, he says! His books, including the award-winning The Traitor and the Thief, are built around the experiences he has had and the places he has been; so inspiration has never been a problem for him. In fact, Ward says he has too many ideas.

The second speaker of the day was Steff Green (pen-name Steffanie Holmes) who writes paranormal romance. Born blind, Steff had faced rejection her whole life: from friendships, experiences and even her dream career (archeology). She found that writing was a place where she could be self-sufficient, not limited by her disability. In fact, she acknowledges that her disability has actually helped her become an internationally acclaimed author: "I think a lot of sensory disabled people view the world in a slightly different way, and that probably feeds into my creativity a bit." Steff likes to make the main character have a disability instead of being the “token sidekick” as this highlights a message of equality amongst people with disabilities. “I write tales ... for thousands of readers across the world who never tell me I can’t write because of my eyes.".

Session Two: Te Kai a te Rangatira (Yuiko): Rawiri J. Tapiata, Renee Smith, Marcus Akuhata-Brown, Naianga Tapiata and Anitaa Raumahoe Morris

The second act of the Festival featured members of Te Kai a Te Rangatira, a collective effort of more than forty rangatahi volunteers who have sought to preserve the insights, wisdom, and knowledge of Māori who have committed their lives to advance their communities. Traveling across the length of NZ, members collated more than 100 interviews with Māori individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds - art, education, social work, politics, and business.

Present were Rawiri J. Tapiata, Naianga Tapiata, Renee Smith, Marcus Akuhata-Brown, and Ani Morris. Members of Te Kai a Te Rangatira focus on bridging the educational disparities that Māori students face, as well as bringing Māori culture, traditions, and language to the forefront. Many engage in youth work, organizing leadership camps across the country. The Tuia National Leadership Development Program - founded by Akuhata-Brown - takes an intergenerational approach, looking to encourage the contributions which ragatahi make to New Zealand communities.

Akuhata-Brown led the closing speech, one of achingly genuine anecdotes and life advice. From ‘glass ceilings’ formed by self-doubt to his own experiences with success and failure, he stressed how important it was for the youth of today to realize their full potential - powering the future generations.

Old men dream dreams. Young men see visions. Every one of you has the ability to contribute, to make a difference.

His message felt incredibly personal, poignant - even in a room of over 500 students. As he gestured to the audience, I was struck by how inspired I felt, how my secret ambitions suddenly felt possible, how each word seemed to resonate in the quiet hall. Glancing over the crowd, I realized I wasn’t alone.

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