This May and June, Whitianga will host the inaugural Peninsula Writers Festival, a vibrant celebration of literature, storytelling, and community. The festival will bring together eight diverse Coromandel Peninsula writers, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with each author at individual author sessions. 

Food waste is a growing issue in Aotearoa, but a programme delivered by the Zero Waste Network and local waste minimisation group Wāhi Tukurua, is helping Mercury Bay residents make simple changes that have a big impact. 

Inspired by the natural world and Project Kiwi, Opito Bay based author Brett Howes has published his first captivating book ‘Kaula the Kiwi”. The book is a collection of interlinked poems that combine New Zealand wildlife, local personalities, Coromandel Peninsula landscapes, and whimsical storytelling. In this article Brett shares his inspiration and how his book takes young and mature readers on an engaging journey that blends education, community conservation, stunning illustrations and a generous sprinkle of humour. 

Composite Image above: Author Brett Howes and Kiwi Egg illustration by Jessica Howes. All images in this article are subject to copyright and all rights reserved.