Australian view of N.Z. poet

Press, 9 May 1984, Page 14

Australian view of N.Z. poet

Australians have discovered New Zealand’s gravelvoiced poet, Sam Hunt, and he is the subject of the second programme in the "A Big Country” series, screening tonight on One. The hard-drinking Sam Hunt thrives on his outlandish image, loud voice and spirited public performances. But the depth and the sensitivity for the coastline where he lives, that fills his poetry, comes from a different man — a sentimental, romantic person, says TVNZ. A sense of humour and a love of the land and of people are common to “both” Sams. Hunt, who has been living off his poetry for 17 years, is equally at home performing from pulpits, hotel bars, at schools and on stage. Now the “bard of Bottle Creek” has his sights set on bigger horizons — Australia and the United States. The producer of this A.B.C. programme, Stewart MacLennan, warns his fellow countrymen: “At first we might stand and gape, but then the deeper, richer things beneath the bodgie image will begin to shine through . . .”