The family of late poet Hone Tuwhare has confirmed plans had begun to establish a creative residency at the Kaka Point house he called home for more than 15 years.
A trust is being formed to handle the project, which already has the blessing of his family and another prominent Maori writer, Witi Ihimaera, who believe the coastal house will be a place where writers, poets and artists can be inspired as Tuwhare was there.
Tuwhare moved to Kaka Point in 1992 and lived there until his death in Dunedin in January 2008 aged 85.
His son, Rob Tuwhare, recently contacted the Otago Daily Times to confirm plans had started on forming a trust to preserve his father's Kaka Point crib.
The Hone Tuwhare Charitable Trust, once formally registered, would aim to inspire people through the preservation, promotion and celebration of Tuwhare's legacy, he said.
Preserving Tuwhare's crib was both a physical and practical way of keeping him in everyone's minds for generations to come, Mr Tuwhare said.
"The establishment committee believes that given Hone's talent, mana and contribution to New Zealand society, this project is worth the investment of time and money that will be required."
It plans to insulate the crib, install double-glazing and internet connections to make it a comfortable and inspiring place for creative endeavour.
Details on how the retreat will operate are yet to be confirmed.
Mr Tuwhare said it was likely both public and corporate money would be needed to buy the home.
Once that had happened, he hoped government and charitable funding groups would dig deep to help finish the project.
The committee has already received a glowing endorsement from Ihimaera, who said no history of New Zealand literature, arts and culture could ever be complete without the inclusion of Hone Tuwhare.
"He is the greatest of all Maori poets and he is also one of the greatest New Zealand poets, an exemplar of the poetic arts in Aotearoa to both cultures."
It was most fitting, Ihimaera said, that Tuwhare's Kaka Point house be conserved so young generations of poets, artists and writers could have the chance to aspire to Tuwhare's example.
Trust aims
The Hone Tuwhare Charitable Trust will aim to:
Secure and preserve Hone Tuwhare's crib and adapt it for contemporary needs.
Create and manage an ongoing creative residency at Tuwhare's home at Kaka Point.
Promote and distribute resource materials for schools, works and translation into Te Reo Maori.
Inspire artistic endeavour, for example, live performance, writing, school visits.
Create events that celebrate Tuwhare.
Source: Robert Tuwhare
