Purapurawhetu is a story with many threads. At its heart is the darkness of loss and grief. Woven around and throughout are other characters' experience of loss and dispossession. But it is ultimately a story of forgiveness and healing, and of humour - out of turmoil comes the ability to move forward. 'Purapurawhetu. When someone special dies, their spirit joins the others in a wild tango across the night sky.'

Author Biography

Briar Grace-Smith (Ngati Hau, Ngati Wai) is a writer, actor and award-winning playwright. She has written for television and radio and had several short stories published. Briar lives and works in Paekakariki. The 1995 recipient of the Bruce Mason Playwrights award and winner of the 1995 Chapman Tripp theatre award for best short play. Writer of Flat Out Brown, Nga Pou Wahine and co-writer of Queenie and Peter, (part of the NZ Comedy Playhouse 1997). An accomplished short story writer and finalist in the Huia Short Story Awards 1995.