Author Witi Ihimaera has been honoured by Wellington's Victoria University with an honoroary doctorate in literature, which he will receive at the university's graduation ceremonies in May next year. Ihimaera is one of New Zealand's most successful authors. His first book “Pounamu Pounamu” in 1972 was the first book published in New Zealand by a Maori author, bringing him to the attention of then-Prime Minister Norman Kirk who recruited him to work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a diplomat, where he went on to represent New Zealand in Canberra, New York and Washington. He has written eight novels, including “Whale Rider”, the film of which is New Zealand's biggest locally-made box office success to date, as well as the highly-acclaimed gay themed “Nights in the Gardens of Spain” and “The Uncle's Story”.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 7th August 2003 - 12:00pm