Rotorua is hosting a literary festival specifically for Maori writers that the organisers hope will in turn encourage Maori readers. Kupu: Nga Ringa Tuhituhi will celebrate past and present Maori writers, with a view that many generations will tell their stories. On the Kupu board is Robyn Bargh who's a long time champion of Maori literature, including her involvement with the HUIA publishing house. Among the list of invited writers are Patricia Grace, this year's Ockham Book Award winner Whiti Hereaka, Becky Manawatu, and Shilo Kino whose book The Porangi Boy won The Young Adult Book of the year at the 2021 Children and Young Adult NZ Book Awards In fact Lynn Freeman discovers that Shilo was very much behind getting the Kupu Festival off the ground. Kupu: Nga Ringa Tuhituhi will start on the 12th of June in Rotorua.