My Life as Adoga

Witi Ihimaera: A Life in Writing Witi has won numerous awards for his writing in the categories of short fiction and full-length novel, starting with the publication of the Pounamu Pounamu short story collection (1970), which was followed by another collection of short works, the “overtly political” The New Net Goes Fishing (1977). His list of full-length novels is impressive, beginning with Tangi (1973) and Whanau (1974). The Matriarch (1986) is complemented with a sequel, The Dream Swimmer (1997). While in the United States, Witi wrote Dear Miss Mansfield (1989), after which came Bulibasha: King of the Gypsies (1994). Witi took a daring turn with Nights in the Gardens of Spain (1996), his first gay-themed novel. A focus on relationships and male sexuality continues in The Uncle's Story (2000). Witi’s most recent work is The Rope of Man (2005). In Ihimaera: His Best Stories, the Anniversary Collection (2003), Witi offers a personal choice of stories accompanie...

On Tuesday last week (July 1, 2008) I had the good fortune of attending a workshop co-sponsored by the Taiwan government’s (Executive Yuan) Council of Indigenous Peoples and the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office . The event was a dialogue between internationally renowned New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera and Taiwanese aboriginal artists Badai (novelist), Sakinu Tepiq (戴明雄) (filmmaker), Walis Nogang (educator), Paelabang Danapan (scholar), and Dadelavan Ibau (ethnomusicologist). The wor kshop was important for wh at was said, as the speakers addressed a number of issues th at are of relevance to indigenous peoples and com munities around the world. Topics of equity, excellence and justice for indigenous peoples were brou ght to the foreground. In his opening remarks, Ihimaera set the focus upon the necess ity of indigenous people coming together to discuss and even deal with local issues that are disturbingly global in scope. These crises—which include the loss of cult...

Who'd a thunk it? Or in this case, who'd a drunk it? This video was taken a few weeks ago at a Thai restaurant that doubles as a microbrewery. I had the fortune, good or bad is for you to decide, of being there when they had one of their regular beer-guzzling competitions. And the winner is... hey, don't look at me. I was the designated driver.

The two Jackies show their nervousness after a big thunderstorm. Yes, this Adoga has a couple of Indonesian myna birds, one of which is threatening to soil the keyboards even as we "speak." Problem is, only one of the birds is friendly enough to be a good pet, so it looks like in a couple of weeks the larger and more unfriendly bird will be returned to his original owner in Pingtung. Hand-raised, these birds are faithful to their "parents." I've seen them follow my friend around as he worked in his yard outside his house. He whistles to call them when they stray, and they return like well-trained dogs. He gave me these two "brothers," both of whom are n amed Jackie. Unfortunately, the Jackies are terribly aggressive to my other home-roaming pets, and today's attack upon my sparrow (rescued from a certain death as a hatchling kicked out of the nest) and bulbul (a trade from the bird breeder who couldn't keep my ailing baby dove alive) was especi...