Introduction

Abstract

When Dr Johnson, the 18• century critic, was asked to describe the quality of the poets from Pembroke College, Oxford (where the great doctor was briefly an undergraduate); he proudly said: "Sir, we are a nest of singing birds." In this collection we make the same claim about Waikato poets, accomplished and at ease in writing poetry and, by turns, confident, assertive, lyrical and sceptical in the ways they address the wide terrain of the Waikato. Readers north of the Mangatawhiri stream or south below Lake Taupo might be surprised by the poetic claims this anthology makes. We hope they will be also delighted and enthralled.