Bill Manhire was born in Invercargill and began publishing his poetry throughout the 70s and 80s, which became iconic for its simple, playful style. He became New Zealand’s first Poet Laureate in 1997 and was the former director of Victoria University’s Institute of Modern Letters. Today, Manhire writes lyrical riddles for music.

Manhire, Bill. (2009) 'Unconsidered Trifles': The Writer as Thief. English in Aotearoa, No. 69, Oct 2009: 6-14. Retrieved from

Manhire, Bill. (2011). Cream Torpedoes: Recent Poetry in New Zealand. World Literature Today, vol. 85, no. 5, Sep/Oct2011, pp. 40-42. Retrieved from