Meet Trisha Hanifin who loves teaching literacy to students and is a passionate creative writer with her first novel published last year.
What is your role and what are some of the things that you enjoyed doing this year?
I have been working at Unitec for more than 15 years now, mainly involved in teaching academic literacies to students and supporting staff with literacy development so that they can integrate it into their courses and programmes. Currently, I’m a lecturer in Bridgepoint, teaching on the health pathway for the NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation Level 4 at Waitakere campus. I work with students who are aiming to enter degrees such as the Bachelor of Nursing or Medical Imaging. I very much enjoy working with Bridgepoint students, supporting them to consolidate the academic knowledge, skills and strategies they need to succeed at degree level.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
My main interest is in creative writing – this includes poetry, short stories, flash fiction and novels. I have been lucky enough to have my work published in a variety of literary journals and magazines including Landfall, Flash Frontier, Headland, Fresh Ink, and most recently in Kissing a Ghost, the 2021 New Zealand Poetry Society Anthology, and Aftermath, the 2021 SpecFicNZ Anthology.
In 2019, the unpublished manuscript of my first novel, The Time Lizard’s Archaeologist, was runner-up in the Ashton Wylie Mind Body Spirt Awards and in 2021 it was published by Cloud Ink Press. It is now available in print through Bateman Books and Cloud Ink Press and online at Amazon kindle. You can find out more about this book and my other publications on my website Southern Lines
You can also listen to an interview about the book with Lyn Freeman from the Radio NZ Arts programme, Standing Room Only Listen to interview here
Where did you grow up and what’s interesting about that place?
I grew up in a large working-class family of Irish Catholic heritage in Timaru, a South Island town half way between Christchurch and Dunedin. Timaru is situated on the coast but is also surrounded by mountains. It is a short drive from there to the Mackenzie country, Lake Tekapo and Aoraki (Mt Cook).
Do you speak any other languages, what is special about that for you?
Unfortunately, no – although I took Latin and French at secondary school for five years (a while ago now!). Latin did give me more understanding about some aspects of English and what’s left of my French is mildly useful when watching French movies.
What is you favourite book or movie? Why?
Being a life-long book worm, I have many favourites, but Beloved by Toni Morrison is one of the most impressive and extraordinary books I’ve ever read. Exquisitely written, it’s a searing insight into the devastation of slavery and its aftermath in America. On a lighter note, although by no means superficial, is the mystery series by Jacqueline Winspear on Maisie Dobbs, a psychologist and private investigator. The series starts at the end of the first world war, continues throughout the 1920s and 30s and into the second world war. Maisie is a great character and each book explores both personal and political issues of the times.
Article in the Western Leader about my book launch
Doing an open mic evening
Tell us an achievement out of work that you’re proud of.
See above for publication of my first novel, especially as publication was delayed and book launches were cancelled because of Covid and numerous lockdowns last year.
Best concert/show/event you’ve ever been to? What made it special
Three of my brothers and I regularly go to the annual Auckland Folk Festival on anniversary weekend. It is held at the Kumeu showgrounds and is special because of the laidback, friendly atmosphere, the amazing musicians, both local and international, and the range and quality of the music. It was cancelled this year because of concerns about Covid but, fingers crossed, it will be back next year.
What’s your favourite food or signature dish?
Breakfast: fruit and yogurt, sourdough toast and manuka honey.
Who do you most admire and what is it about them that makes them special?
All those ordinary people who get up every day (or every night too) and work in essential services, so often not well paid, recognised or respected, but who not only look after their own families and keep our communities going.