The National Library assumed responsibility for the New Zealand Poet Laureate Award in 2007. For the ten years prior, this had had been the personal project and passion of John Buck of Te Mata Estate winery in Hawkes Bay. The connection of the Laureate Award to its Hawkes Bay origins was maintained in the form of a Laureate weekend at Matahiwi marae near Clive, where the Poet Laureate received their tokotoko created by Jacob Scott, and took part in a public reading supported by poets chosen to accompany them.

This year the planned weekend in April was abandoned due to safety concerns over Cyclone Vaianu. As it was unlikely the weekend could be replicated, the presentation of Robert Sullivan’s tokotoko took place at the National Library in Wellington on 29 June, when Robert and almost 20 fellow poets celebrated this special moment in an afternoon of korero and poetry.

As part of this occasion and in recognition of his ‘minder’ role with the Poet Laureates, his administration of the Award and his contribution to the planning of the Matahiwi weekend since 2007, National Library staffer Peter Ireland was presented with a special book. This combined the talents of hand press artist Brendan O’Brien and poet, writer and MC extraordinaire Marty Smith, whose gorgeous bespoke introductions to each Laureate and accompanying poets are a highlight of the public poetry readings that are an established part of the Matahiwi Laureate weekend.

As a guest of two Laureates at the Matahiwi weekends, I have witnessed the attention Peter pays to each occasion along with the ongoing tenure of the Laureates. Peter has supported Poetry Shelf’s aim to showcase each Laureate, whether through the ongoing events they participate in, new and old poems written, or conversations and thoughts on poetry.

I am posting the pages of In a space between, this exquiisite illuminating limited edition book, so that we may all share in its beauty, and as a way of marking Peter’s invaluable contribution to poetry in Aotearoa. Peter’s infectious enthusiasm for poetry reaches wide and touches hearts and minds. He is an avid reader, especially local poetry.

This post is also a way of acknowledging Marty’s precious gift to Peter.

Poetry Shelf raises its glass and says ngā mihi Peter, tēnā rawa atu koe.