Interview: Aotearoa NZ Poet Laureate David Eggleton

Aotearoa New Zealand’s Poet Laureate David Eggleton is well known throughout the land for his  engaging and dynamic  readings, often performed with a quick-fire delivery and utilising words and language that deliver a constant stream  of images. Described by reviewers as a jazz-bop-beatnik poet, David has so far released over 18 books of poetry, not to mention books on the New Zealand music scene and photography.

During his long and illustrious career David has won numerous awards and accolades such as The Robert Burn’s Fellowship, won “on five separate occasions” the Montana New Zealand Book Awards Book Reviewer of the Year, has been awarded the PEN Best First Book of Poetry award, as well as taking part in the slightly more unusual Ranters Cup and the Poetry Olympics. He is the only New Zealander to have won the London Time Out’s Street Entertainer of the Year. In addition, David has produced several short films, CDs and documentaries. David was appointed the New Zealand Poet Laureate in 2019 and has also received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Poetry.

Just recently he has undertaken a nationwide tour with the Mad Doggerel Cabaret featuring fellow poet Daren Kamali co-founder of the South Auckland Poets’ Collective. Daren  is also a highly accomplished performance poet, as well as a musician. Daren Kamali’s works are often based on Polynesian and Pasifika legends and his own life story, with  the final part of the Mad Doggerel Cabaret trio being Dunedin-based classical guitarist Richard Wallis .

In the Mad Doggerel Cabaret the trio present a lyrical, vivid, and lightning-fast comic portrait of Aotearoa New Zealand and its place in the South Pacific today.

You can catch a special free performance of the Mad Doggerel Cabaret  at the National Library Wellington on  Friday 26 August  to celebrate National Poetry Day. Find more details of their national tour here.

When David agreed to be interviewed about his latest venture, his time as poet laureate and his poetry career in general, we jumped at the chance. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to David for taking time out of his busy schedule and for such a fabulous, fascinating, and informative interview.

This interview was done in conjunction with Caffeine and Aspirin, the arts and entertainment review show on Radioactive FM. You can hear the full interview below.