Poet Laureate returns to Avcol
- zclr56
- May 9
- 1 min read
Selina Tusitala Marsh is a proud Avondale alumna, Poet Laureate and academic. We were delighted to welcome her back on the opening day of our Jubilee weekend to share her journey with students.
Selina was given the nickname “Mophead” at school, due to her curly hair, which later became the title of several of her books. She shared her desire to see more poetry written from a Pacific perspective, and recited "Fast Talking P.I.", in response to a newspaper article containing stereotypes of Pacific Islanders. This piece won her the opportunity to perform for Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey.
As Poet Laureate, Selina also got to meet President Barack Obama on his visit to New Zealand in 2018.
Thank you, Selina, for sharing your journey and wisdom—you continue to inspire the Avondale whānau!
