An icon of New Zealand literature, Dame Fiona spent her childhood in Kerikeri and Waipu. ‘I have had a lifelong love affair with the North,’ says Dame Fiona, ‘but a love affair does not necessarily imply the total suspension of critical judgement. When a place has shaped your life as convincingly as the North has mine, then I think you are entitled to an opinion or two about it.’

The Book of Secrets, Kidman's novel which has been in print for 27 years, is set in Waipu and tells stories of its migrants from the Scottish Highlands via Nova Scotia. Waipu was a dream place for me growing up, although I did ruffle feathers there later, but that has been resolved!’

Dame Fiona will also discuss the latest volume in her memoir So Far, For Now, covering the most recent decade of her busier than ever life. She is joined in conversation by Upsurge Co-director Dave Armstrong.

‘In the craft of her storytelling and in her compassionate gutsy tough expression of female experience, she is the best we have.’ NZ Listener

Browse through our other UPSURGE Kōrero | Conversations events here.

 

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