Ebony lamb/included
The poet Jordan Hamel, who lives in Pōneke, raised by Timaru.
Timaru-raised, Jordan Hamel, Pōneke/Wellington-based slam poet champion Jordan Hamel, will make his way to one of the top universities in the United States after receiving a Fulbright NZ General Graduate award.
Hamel, the 2018 New Zealand Poetry Slam Champion, represented New Zealand at the World Poetry Slam Champs in 2019, and was the Michael King Writer-in-Residence in 2021.
After leaving Timaru to attend the University of Otago, where he earned a BA and LLB, Hamel moved to Wellington, where he worked as a lawyer and policy advisor, while continuing to publish and perform widely.
Hamel said he was thrilled to be attending the University of Michigan, where he will earn a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing.
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“It’s one of the best writing schools in America, so I was really excited to get in there.”
Leaving for Ann Arbor in August, he wasn’t worried about being overwhelmed after his small-town upbringing.
“I’m moving to a college town, which I think is a good size — I’m not ready to tackle New York City or anything like that.”
He said the Fulbright trial was intense.
“It was a pretty hectic application, then I had to interview a very intimidating panel of board members and give a presentation, answer all these questions and then wait a few weeks on the phone nervously.”
Hamel, who recently wrote “A love letter to Timaru Airport”, embraces his hometown.
“It’s always a complicated relationship, but I have a huge affection for Timaru – my family is there, my friends are there, my whole history is there – I would never disown Timaru.
The Roncalli College alumnus said his secondary education was “amazing”.
“I had some great English and drama teachers who were super supportive.”
Ebony lamb/included
The poet Jordan Hamel, who lives in Poneke, raised by Timaru.
He said he visits South Canterbury regularly, about four or five times a year, although not as much as he’d like, and that he would make a few visits before leaving for the United States.
“Every time I come back, I love it. Covid makes it easier to work remotely and allows me to spend more time with the family.
“I miss Timaru, and I will definitely miss Timaru when I’m gone.”
He said he would like to make writing his full-time career, but “there’s no money in it, not really”.
“I think that’s what I’m most excited about – not having a job for two years, just writing and studying will be great.
“Most of my free time right now is spent writing or performing. It takes up a lot of my time, so I’d like to do more of that and at least a little less work later.”
Hamel published his first book this year, Everyone is Everyone Except You, and embarks on a South Island tour with Liz Breslin, Claudia Jardine and Rebecca Hawkes, performing in Timaru at Hector Black’s on July 3.