A special tribute to JC Sturm at Going West

An Enigmatic Presence - a special tribute to JC Sturm (1927-2009) at Going West on Friday night - is a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the life and work of this important poet and short story writer.

Roger Steele (publisher of Dedication, her first poetry collection) and Paul Millar , a leading authority on her work, share memories of their friendship and work with JC Sturm. Long-time admirer and teacher of her work, Reina Whaitiri will read from a selection of Jacqui’s poems.

Plus: Highlights from the documentary Broken Journey:The Life and Art of JC Sturm

An Enigmatic Presence – A Tribute to JC Sturm 1927-2009 - Friday 10 September 8.30pm

Witi Ihimaera wrote in the NZ Listener almost 20 years ago that: “Any assessment of the post-war Maori literary movement would have to include JC Sturm … the enigmatic presence among us”. Going West screens passages from the documentary Broken Journey: The Life and Art of JC Sturm and pays tribute to the life and work of this important poet and short story writer. In honouring Jacqui, Roger Steele (publisher of Dedication, her first poetry collection) and Paul Millar, leading authority on her work, share memories of their friendship and publishing her poems. Writer, researcher and teacher of Maori and Pacific literature, Reina Whaitiri is a long-term admirer and teacher of Jacqui’s work. Reina reads from a selection of Jacqui’s poems.

JC Sturm

JC Sturm, wife of poet James K. Baxter, was one of the first Maori women to obtain a university degree in 1949. Her short stories featured in select journals throughout the 1950s and 60s. She went on to produce collections of poetry, and her writing featured in key journals and anthologies. One of New Zealand's first published Maori women writers, JC Sturm died at the age of 82 in late 2009.

In the 2007 documentary, Broken Journey: The Life and Art of JC Sturm, the author – then aged 80 – reflects on her life and the influences that shaped her writing including her early years in the Taranaki coastal town of Opunake as well as the impact of her local pa, Parihaka. Director Tim Rose describes the hour-long documentary as “an intimate story of a long, well-lived life”. As Jacqui tells the story of her life, the accompanying narration in Maori paints the picture of parallel events in New Zealand society – the depression and the war; urbanisation; the changing role of Maori women; and Maori women in literature.

Roger Steele

Roger Steele had a life before he became a publisher, which all came about because he tripped over unpublished treasure by Hone Tuwhare and JC Sturm and innocently commented "Someone should publish this!". Three hundred books later (one third poetry, a third history, and a third "What was that about?") he is trying to get his life back. But a jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou, and he carries on publishing 40 books a year — the woods are lovely, dark and deep, but he has promises to keep...

Paul Millar

Paul Millar is an Associate Professor teaching New Zealand and Australian literature and the modern novel at The University of Canterbury. He has published extensively on James K. Baxter and probably knows more about Baxter’s life and art than many people would consider useful. Recently he branched out into writing biographies of other major 20th century New Zealand literary figures. He is also director of the University’s Humanities Computing Unit where he’s looking at new ways of bringing New Zealand history, literature and culture to a broad audience.

Reina Whaitiri

Reina Whaitiri of Kaitahu is a writer, researcher and a tireless supporter of Pacific and Maori literature in particular Maori women's poetry and the literature of indigenous peoples, especially that of Hawai'i. She was a senior tutor for 15 years at The University of Auckland where she taught English literature and co-ordinated a programme for those wanting to return to formal study. Before retiring in 2008, she was an assistant professor at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa for four years.

Friday 10 September 8.30pm (only available as part of weekend or Friday pass)

Books and Writers Weekend

10-12 September

Titirangi War Memorial Hall

Day & Weekend tickets: Book at Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 www.ticketmaster.co.nz

Friday 10 September 7pm – 10pm
$30 full price, $22 concession
Includes supper and wine

Single Session Tickets: $15 adult, $10 conc. Buy 4 sessions and receive 1 free

Door sales available