Allen Curnow reads at Going West in 2001, introduced by Glenn Colquhoun who at the time was an emerging poet who had just received his first accolade. Colquhoun describes Curnow as holding within his arm-spans the history of modern New Zealand poetry, with his timeless phrases having entered the New Zealand lexicon, helping to define who we are. This was Allen Curnow’s last public performance.

In his introduction, Colquhoun eloquently acknowledges Curnow’s vital place in New Zealand poetry. He also honours the Going West Festival itself, which has provided a turangawaewae of sorts for both poets. 

Colquhoun reads the Curnow poem ‘Wild Iron’ and Curnow reads two poems from what was his latest and last publication The Bells of Saint Babel's: Poems 1997–2001. It would go on to win the 2001 Montana Book Award for Poetry. 

This was to be Allen Curnow’s last public performance. A giant of our literary landscape, he died a week after this session on the 23rd of September 2001. In acknowledgement of Allen Curnow, Going West named our annual festival opening night poetry reading in his honour.

This recording of Wild Iron, Ten Steps to the Sea, and Fantasia and Fugue for Panpipe is published by kind permission of Tim Curnow.