Hone Tuwhare Maori Poet Laureate. New Zealand

I painted this wonderful man from life many years ago. Hone stayed with us whilst visiting remote Fiordland in New Zealand to translate the phonetic Maori recorded by an early sealer-John Boultbee -who kept a journal in the two years he lived amongst Maori who lived in this most southwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand. Hone was asked by the Otago University to visit the area , still accessible only by foot, boat or helicopter. Hone had a remarkable ability with words and was a self taught poet  with a huge heart. He has left a wonderful poetic legacy in NZ and it was a happy experience to paint him whilst he read to my older children. At the time I was the sole Art teacher at a remote high school called Fiordland College. John Boultbee's Journal had not long been published.Hone had a striking face and one eye turned slightly inwards. I painted with a brush and watercolour swiftly. This is my favourite method.This painting is still in my possession,however a limited edition set saw one previous Prime Minister of NZ and one Member of Parliament place prints in their offices.It seems that Art outlives politics. Hone was much loved.