Brian Turner

Guest writer

Brian Turner is a writer who lives in Oturehua. He has played international hockey for New Zealand, worked as a golf caddy around the world, and is the author of books of essays and verse. Brian was born in Dunedin in 1946.

The Friday Poem: ‘Small Town Blues’ by Brian Turner

The Friday Poem: ‘Small Town Blues’ by Brian Turner

New verse by Oturehua writer Brian Turner.

By Brian Turner | 8th June, 2018

A memoir by Brian Turner: part 2 in our week-long series on Greymouth writer Peter Hooper

A memoir by Brian Turner: part 2 in our week-long series on Greymouth writer Peter Hooper

All week this week we look at the life and writing of Greymouth writer and conservationist Peter Hooper (1919-91). Today: a memoir by Hooper's longtime friend and editor Brian Turner, taken from his speech at the launch in the weekend of Pat White's biography.

By Brian Turner | 4th April, 2017

Book of the Week: Who the hell does Brendon McCullum think he is?

Book of the Week: Who the hell does Brendon McCullum think he is?

Brian Turner wades through the hyperbole in Brendon McCullum's biography, and recalls the old saying: "Self-praise is no recommendation.”

By Brian Turner | 17th November, 2016

Own a rock in the middle of the riverbed. River Omulevka. Yakutia. Russia.

The Friday poem: ‘Solo’, by Brian Turner

New verse by Otago writer and optimist Brian Turner.

By Brian Turner | 12th August, 2016

On the slopes of Black’s Hill, near Ophir.

The Monday extract: Brian Turner on the splendours and stupidities of life in Central Otago

In which Brian Turner looks out from the top of Black's Hill - over there's Mt St Bathans, way yonder's the Remarkables - and inspects the hand of man placed on the back of nature's trembling neck.

By Brian Turner | 15th February, 2016

Books: The Year of Brian Turner

Books: The Year of Brian Turner

All week this week we feature a memoir of 2015 by a writer of distinction. Our fourth memoirist: Otuehua writer Brian Turner, who curiously tops the New Zealand fiction best-seller chart right now with his book Boundaries: People and Places of Central Otago - a collection of essays, which is to say non-fiction.

By Brian Turner | 15th December, 2015

Poetry for the soul

Books: The Friday Poem – Chum, by Brian Turner

New verse by Oturehua writer Brian Turner.

By Brian Turner | 20th November, 2015

Books: The Friday Poem – ‘Everyday Confession’ by Brian Turner

Books: The Friday Poem – ‘Everyday Confession’ by Brian Turner

New verse by Otago writer Brian Turner.

By Brian Turner | 2nd October, 2015

The Friday Poem: As it Happens by Brian Turner

The Friday Poem: As it Happens by Brian Turner

By Brian Turner | 11th September, 2015