17 Mar 2025

Shine On | Episode 1: Inspiration to Write

From Shine On Katherine Mansfield, 10:00 am on 17 March 2025

Series ClassificationPG (Parental Guidance) | Find the series here.

Nina Mingya Powles (writer, poet) & Sarah Laing (writer, graphic artist)

Nina Mingya Powles grew up in Thorndon, near Katherine Mansfield's Wellington home.

As a kid, she says Mansfield 'loomed' over her childhood. Later, she became entranced by her life, her writing, and her humour. Now, Powles is an internationally acclaimed writer and published poet living in the U.K.

Her poem "If Katherine Mansfield Were My Best Friend" is a youthful frolic.

In this episode, she shares the spotlight with witty, award-winning Sarah Laing, writer, cartoonist, novelist, and graphic artist. Like Powles, she makes Mansfield a character in her own life story, a graphic memoir called Mansfield and Me.

Nina Mingya Powles

Nina Mingya Powles Photo: AC Productions

Sarah Laing

Sarah Laing Photo: AC Productions

Katherine Mansfield

Katherine Mansfield Photo: AC Productions

NZ On Air

Photo: NZ On Air