Kevin Ireland was born in Mt Albert, Auckland, and now lives across the harbour in Devonport. His 20th book of poems, Selected Poems 1963-2013, was launched in July, and his sixth novel, Daisy Chains, was published in 2011. His many other publications include two memoirs, a volume of short stories, a booklet On Getting Old and a discursive book on fishing, How to Catch a Fish. He has received several awards, which include the Prime Minister’s Award for Poetry, a Montana Award for history and biography, the A W Reed Award and a DLitt from Massey University.