Paul Diamond (2009)

Paul Diamond (2009)

Paul Diamond (2009) 189 189 Michael King Writers Centre

Paul Diamond (Ngäti Hauä, Te Rarawa and Ngäpuhi) is a writer, historian and broadcaster. After working as an accountant for seven years, he switched to journalism in 1997. Paul’s journalism has been recognised with Qantas Media Awards, Peace Awards and a David Low Chevening Fellowship to Oxford University. His first book, A Fire in Your Belly, a collection of interviews with Maori leaders, was published by Huia in 2003. His second book, an illustrated biography of Makereti (1873-1930), Makereti: taking Maori to the World was published by Random House NZ in 2007. Paul also contributed an essay to Sexuality and the stories of Indigenous People, published by Huia in 2007. From 2007 to 2009 Paul managed the Vietnam War Oral History Project for the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. In 2010 he was appointed to the board of the New Zealand Book Council. Paul has been a judge for the New Zealand Post Book Awards in 2010 and 2011.

Paul is writing a book about Charles Mackay, a mayor of Wanganui, who was convicted of attempted murder after he shot the writer Walter D’Arcy Cresswell in 1920. Being able to stay at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in May 2009 was a great help with Auckland-based research for this project. Paul completed oral history interviews with people in the Devonport area and also met with other people who were a great help with his research. A bonus was a visit to Frank Sargeson’s house, and the opportunity to meet writers from the Cabin Club group of house-bound Devonport writers.

 

Photo:  Bruce Foster