25 Jul 2017

Writer of Tongan Rotuman heritage awarded Fulbright scholarship

From , 5:00 am on 25 July 2017

A New Zealand artist's residency to the University of Hawaii has been awarded to a poet of Tongan Rotuman heritage who felt motivated to apply for it after his mother died.

Writer David Eggleton has received the 2017 Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer's residency.  

Fulbright New Zealand's executive director Penelope Borland said he is one of New Zealand's most eminent poets writers and editors.

He won best poetry book in the Ockham National Book Awards 2016 and the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Excellence in Poetry that same year. 

Dave Eggleton told Sara Vui-Talitu about what he hopes to accomplish during the residency.

David Eggleton

David Eggleton Photo: Supplied