Turia biographer to speak at Winter Wonderfest

Author Helen Leahy is to speak in Whanganui during Winter Wonderfest this month.

The author of Crossing the Floor: The Story of Tariana Turia, published in 2015, is now the pouarahi (chief executive) of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu; the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for the South Island.

Asked why she wrote Crossing the Floor , Leahy replied that it was something she needed to do.

"I felt a great sense of responsibility that her legacy should not remain captured in the pages of Hansard alone."

The Whanganui Literary Festival Trust has invited Leahy to talk on the topic of Leadership Resides Within Us All.

The talk has been timed to coincide with the Whanganui Winter Wonderfest which has more than 30 cultural, wellbeing and entertainment events scheduled from August 18 to September 2.

Helen Leahy: Leadership Resides Within Us All. 6pm, August 23, Davis Lecture Theatre, Whanganui Regional Museum. General admission $10, friends/unwaged $5.