Bill Direen honoured for a lifetime of music and words

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City Of Literature | Posted: Wednesday Oct 22, 2025

A huge congratulations to Bill Direen who has been named a 2025 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate, recognised for a career spanning music, theatre, publishing and poetry.

Musician, writer and performer Bill Direen has been named a 2025 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate, recognised for a career spanning music, theatre, publishing and poetry. He says his creative drive comes from “saving scraps of feelings”.

Watch here: Bill Direen honoured for a lifetime of music and words