Linking up in Dunedin

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature | Posted: Thursday Apr 09, 2026

Poet Helen Williford-Lower at Caselberg House, St. Brigid’s School and South Link Productions Studio

This May the Caselberg Trust welcomes poet Helen Williford-Lower as an Artist In Residence, part of the award for her 2025 International Poetry Competition First Prize win. Helen will be donating her $600 prize money, Fairy Lights books and art to St. Brigid’s School. Her residency starts with a visit to the school for a tea and a talk with students – a connection she finds quite meaningful.

“I feel a unique link with St. Brigid, who has a centuries-long tradition as a Patron Saint of Poets. Our communion inspired me to push through many obstacles and complete Fairy Lights, so connecting with her community in Dunedin will be a highlight for me.”

Helen’s hardcover, full color 2025 book, Fairy Lights, Bed Time Poems & Gallery of Fairytaile Art from Yesteryear, has been favorably compared to Michael Hague's The Book of Fairy Poetry. Fairy Lights is available in New Zealand and worldwide through online retailers, and at Fairylightsbook.com. The audio book is now in pre-production thanks in part to Dunedin’s South Link Productions recording studio.

The South Link Education Trust has generously donated the expertise of an audio engineer and 20 hours of professional-level studio time for Helen to record the 22 tales and fables of Fairy Lights.

“I am absolutely thrilled that SLET Productions offers this resource to local recording artists and has granted me such a boon. The Melville Street Studio will be the hub of my work while resident at Caselberg House in Broad Bay. I will be travelling the peninsula daily and am looking forward to becoming very familiar with that special landscape during my stay!”

For more information, visit fairylightsbook.com