Daren Kamali
Daren Kamali (Fijian, Uvean, Futunan, Samoan and Scottish) migrated to Aotearoa from Fiji at 17 and is a poet, curator, artist, researcher and current Heritage Pacific Advisor at Auckland Libraries (Research and Heritage). Daren holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts, Manukau Institute of Technology (2014) and Master of Creative Writing (First Class Honours), University of Auckland (2017). He was the Fulbright/CNZ – Pacific Writer in Residence at University of Hawai’i (2012), and attended the International Writers program – Iowa City, USA (2014). Daren has a Pan Pacific approach to writing and performance that reflects his multi-cultural background and upbringing in Fiji and Aotearoa NZ. His published works include Vunimaqo and Me: Mango Tree Collections (Kava Bowl Media, 2020); Tales, Poems and Songs from the Underwater World (Anahera Press, 2011) and Squid Out of Water: the evolution (Ala Press, Hawaii, 2014). Daren has also released two albums BulAotearoa – Immigrant Story (2000) and Keep it Real (2005).
Everything By: Daren Kamali
Poet, performer and artist Daren Kamali on the inspirations in his work, bringing up a new generation of poets in the South Auckland Poets Collective, and how art can preserve our cultures.
