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Fiona Farrell

Guest writer

Fiona is a writer of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Her first novel, The Skinny Louie Book won the 1993 New Zealand Book Award for fiction. She lives in Dunedin.

When ‘eager Kiwis’ miss out, who profits from taonga like the Milford Track? (Image: Getty Images/Tina Tiller)

How the Great Walk booking challenge left me baffled and fuming

While thousands of 'eager Kiwi' trampers miss out, private companies appear to be snapping up places in our taxpayer-funded DOC huts.

By Fiona Farrell | 7th July, 2021

2018, during the official opening of Tūranga, Christchurch’s central library – providing far more than just books (Photo: Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images)

Fiona Farrell: Library books were our way out, our way up

As libraries evolve, some things stay the same.

By Fiona Farrell | 27th May, 2021

A display on a fence in Titirangi, Auckland (Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Lockdown letters #30, Fiona Farrell: There is no going back to normal

By Fiona Farrell | 25th April, 2020

Jacinda Ardern walks to the house to declare a State of National Emergency (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Lockdown letters #25, Fiona Farrell: On the sacrifices of great leaders

The greatest leaders from history have made sacrifices in times of need. A look at who, now, is doing that for us.

By Fiona Farrell | 20th April, 2020

Young girl / Child reading a book outside

Lockdown letters #20, Fiona Farrell: When fiction falls back

When fiction and reality collide, asking 'What if?' takes on a new meaning.

By Fiona Farrell | 15th April, 2020

Photo: Getty

Lockdown letters #15, Fiona Farrell: Read all about it in The Daily Chirp

Responding to sudden, shocking change requires a double lens. Thank goodness for newspapers, real and imagined.

By Fiona Farrell | 10th April, 2020

A sign on State Highway 1 in Wellington during lockdown in April 2020 (Photo: Mark Tantrum/Getty Images)

Lockdown letters #10, Fiona Farrell: On Ardern and kindness

Fiona Farrell on Jacinda Ardern and leadership.

By Fiona Farrell | 5th April, 2020

Photo: Jean-Marc Buchet / Getty

Lockdown letters #5, Fiona Farrell: Citadels under siege, again

Am I anxious? Of course I am.

By Fiona Farrell | 31st March, 2020