I’m a writer, living in the Kaipara in New Zealand. My main loves are poetry and children’s writing, but I feel pretty strongly about social justice so there’s always a few comments on that coming through. I love beaches, children, dogs, rocks, and seldom go for walks without picking up bits of rock, interesting driftwood or a few shells. Christchurch is my home town but I’ve lived in most parts of New Zealand. Small towns suit me better than cities as I like the peace and slower pace of the countryside. My children’s picture book is now published – but that doesn’t mean the hard work is over! Most of my poetry and photography is free to use but please ask first.
I want to introduce my partner in this page. Rod is a retired Air Force engineer who enjoys photography and shell collecting. Some of my photographs have been taken by him, and enhanced by me, and we are enjoying working together – but he only likes poetry that rhymes…
Time I updated this – now living in Whanganui, New Zealand, and dabbling in a bit of watercolour painting. Have published two children’s picture books and two poetry books, and don’t plan on any more…
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Thank you for your positive comments…. I hope you checked out my website too as there are many more images on the site than the blog.. and good luck with your Children’s book!
kind regards
Ian
Thank you for visiting my blog and comment on my videos and music. I like writer who loves social justice. Your pix are also beautiful!
Thank you 🙂
Thanks Ian
I love the words that you add to your beautiful photos… So congratulations! I have nominated you for a Liebster Blog Award.
Here are the Liebster Blog Award (entirely optional) rules:
1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog (that’s me).
2. Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you (that’s my site).
3. Answer the questions posted for you in my blog.
3. Copy and paste the blog award on your blog.
4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to three blogs with 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed.
5. Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog.
Hugs, Teagan
I’m chuffed that you nominated me Teagan. Many thanks. I hope you won’t be offended that I don’t do awards…
Beautiful about.New Zealand is my next trip to visit my friends who immigrated recently.Thank you for visiting my site.Have a nice day.Jalal
Hello. I hope you won’t mind but I have nominated you for a Sunshine Award. If you would like to accept that would be grand but no worries if you don’t wish to. Reading your blog does inspire me 🙂 http://silkannthreades.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/397/
Congratulations!
I have nominated your blog for the Blog of the Year 2012 Award.
The rules of the award are at
Well deserved! Enjoy 🙂
Sorry, somehow I missed this …
Thank you for the follow. I hope I will write something you will find interesting. Comments & thoughts always welcomed. Take Care.
Congratulations on your book! I write too and am aiming to start, and hopefully complete, a children’s chapter book in 2013. Would love to see yours once it’s published! =^.^=
Thanks. Mine’s not so ambitious as a chapter book – but picture books can be hard to get published.
When it’s available mum and I would love to buy a copy and see how great I’m sure it’s going to be! =^.^=
Thanks for that. A wee way to go yet – not due out until the end of March. 🙂
Congratulations on your book getting publish soon! Your blog looks good too 🙂
Thank you
I’m really enjoying your blog and your fantastic photos. Can you tell me what sort of camera you use please? Thanks for calling in on my blog too. Jazz says “Hi”!
Just a standard digi camera with no frills. A Fujifilm FinePix S3000. It does a pretty good job but I’m hanging out for a DSLR – when I can afford it. Hi to Jazz also
Does your Fine Pix have a strong zoom then? Your photo of the Keruru seems very close up.
I am yearning for a digital camera with a much better zoom than the current Fine Pix Point n Shoot so I can capture birds more readily.
My FinePix has a 6x zoom. But Kereru can be very placid, and this one was quite low down on the branch.
Snap. The Fuji Finepix A600 – I’ve just checked that- which I use has 6x zoom too. Most local Keruru hunker down in very tall leafy trees so that makes a clear shot very tricky. I am just delighted that they are living amongst us here in suburbia, albeit in bushy, wooded areas. We can thank conservation efforts, pest eradication and the two bird sanctuaries for seeing them out and about more and more.
I am soooo jealous!! You live a beautiful country, and hopefully someday I will make it there! In the meantime, I look forward to following your blog and ‘living’ there through them. Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my recent post in the Word of the Week Challenge – Clouds! Your support is appreciated!
We’ve just been away for a while, but I hope to get some pictures posted this afternoon of some beautiful bays…
I think I heard that there was a large fire burning in the Kaipara area?? I hope you are safe and sound?
We’ve been away and have just got back. It was a fair way from us. Thanks for caring
One of my photos in my Precious Metal post looks distorted when I view it outside my editing page. Are all the photos of the plaques clear to you. Would you mind telling me? I have tried to replace the photo but it still isn’t right when I view it as a published post. Thanks.
They look fine to me – the only distortion is the normal curving you get with close-ups like this Maureen http://www.kiwis-soar.com
Thanks for letting me know.
Congrats on your book Maureen. I’ve started a Writers and Illustrators group on Facebook (Karen Lane Auckland). We share lots of useful information if you’d like to join.
Thanks for stopping by and liking the Beagle Project!
Hi Maureen. I love your blog. I would like to nominate you for a Beautiful Blogger Award, if you don’t mind.
I don’t mind – but I don’t have a clue what you have to do about it… Maureen http://www.kiwis-soar.com
No worries. I was nominated for one, and said ‘yes’ and so now I am typing a blog entry with seven blogs that I think are wonderful. When I finish my blog entry, it will have a link to your blog (with an explanation as to why I love your blog), and the other 6 ‘beautiful’ blogs, a picture of the award, and a link to the blog that nominated me. I hope to have the blog entry done in the next few days, so you can take a look at it soon. I love your blog, and am listing it as my first nomination.
I love your photography 🙂
Thanks for that 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
I wish you luck 🙂
Thank you Paula
I don’t know if you have time to look at the Christchurch City library blog, but the last two posts may interest you. One is about a poetry competition and the other is to do with submissions for NZ Book Month. I thought about a book review you did recently that might fit in quite well for NZ Book Month reviews. I can’t work out how to do anything properly on my son’s laptop so can’t link you.
Thanks for that – I’ll have a look Kiwiskan http://www.kiwis-soar.com
Would love to see this children’s book:)
You’ll get a small preview on my page ‘Fred’. Due out end of this month
Oh, great, will have a look! Thanks!
Hello, I’d like to let you know that I’m nominating you for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award”. 🙂
http://beyondprague.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/beyond-prague-at-three-months-old-an-award-to-show-for-it/
I really enjoy coming to your blog, seeing the pictures and reading the poetry.
Thanks for that. I’m technically limited, but will try to meet the criteria! Maureen Sudlow http://www.kiwis-soar.com
Hi Kevan. I’ve thought long and hard about Awards and have decided that I will not be accepting any, but I thank you for your kindness.
OK, no problem. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by Island Vignettes and leaving a comment. Your site is so warm and inviting! Glad we found each other 😀
Me to 🙂
Hi Maureen. I have just published a blog review of Fearless Fred. Hope it’s okay with you. If there is anything that you are not happy with or if I shouldn’t put the image with the post, let me know so I can edit appropriately. Cheers and thanks.
Hi I’ve just got back from a weekend in Auckland, and have just caught up with your post. I’m really chuffed, and thank you very much. Great post. Rod says thanks to you as well 😀 Rod and Maureen Sudlow
I am pleased. I was worried about using the image but I think it is okay for a review. Hope you had a great weekend and I have found a child for my copy of Fearless Fred, although I sort of don’t want to part with it.
You certainly write a good review…
Thank you. The last time I wrote one was in high school!!!!!
Just a couple of years ago then… 🙂 Maureen
Yes! and it wasn’t as much fun!
You are nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I find your blog inspirational and Love Your Photos and Stories. I enjoy them a great deal. Find the rules at my blog for accepting at BrooklynBystander http://brooklynbystander.wordpress.com
Thank you for your inspiration and support and. CONGRATULATIONS!
Thanks heaps Mike, but Awards aren’t for me. I will have to put a note on my blog to that effect. I really appreciate what you’ve said though
No problems
Mike
Good morning kiwiskan. I appreciate your footprints on my blog. It led me to yours, and I know I’m going to enjoy looking through it.
… and I yours
Hello, It is nice to discover your blog.
Thank you.
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actually it’s chocolate I can’t resist
Thank you for stopping by and I will enjoy following your blog. AJM
Likewise 🙂
Lucky fish, living in New Zealand. Always wanted to go to NZ and Australia. Hahaha I also pick up rocks and stones wherever I go.I used to collect semi-precious stones. always had a knack for finding crystals in my mother’s flowerbeds…much to her dismay, me tramping through them. What is the differences between NZ and Australia the non obvious ones? check me out – a newbie to blogging. insidewriting.wordpress. Nicole.
Only trouble with Aussie and NZ is that they are so far from the rest of the world! Aussie has that huge red center, whereas in NZ you’re never very far from the sea. Look forward to you writing up your ‘about’ page.
Ok dokie, I now have my about page. yippee yay. Do you have aboriginal people in NZ? Where will I find info on them for my novel? Nicole.
Aborigines live in Australia, and have been there since the dream time. The Maori are the people of New Zealand.
your blog spotlights the talent gifted to you, a reason why i nominated you for this award. please accept, thanks. http://kintal.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/thanks-homeschool-crafts/
also another award here’s the link http://kintal.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/inner-peace-award/
everything in your blog is so great!
thanks heaps Marlyn, but I
Thanks Marlyn but I don’t do awards. 🙂
alright with me 🙂
Hello! It’s nice to visit your lovely blog! It looks so beautiful where you live. I have always wanted to visit New Zealand. I’m looking forward to checking out your writing, too!
Thank you for the follow 🙂 Hope you make it here one day
I have nominated your blog for the “Sunshine Award”! The ‘rules’ for the award are on the post on my blog if you’d like to participate. If you don’t, I so understand, but just wanted you to be acknowledged as one who is really “shining light” in your own way in the blogging community, and I’m glad to be one of your faithful readers! Blessings, Heather
Thank you for your kindness. I don’t accept awards, but I am touched that you have offered it. Blessings
Blessings to you as well! Like I said previously, your photos and verse are like a breath of fresh air that I so appreciate.
Thank you for all your hard work to share all of this with the wider world.
Also thank you for encouraging me to keep writing. I hope you will visit again.
already have…
I feel I know Christchurch a little as I have been reading drafts of a book about one of the founders, Edward FitzGerald, by Jenifer Roberts. This will be published in New Zealand next year sometime and is a great read. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Where is your book published? I am loving all your photos and blog.
Thanks for that Michael. My children’s book is only published in New Zealand right now and available in our bookstores and online. One day I want to get a poetry book out there…
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GOOD NEWS!!! I just posted an article that included the thoughts that you shared regarding about the things that you are thankful for. I hope you like it. Here’s the link: http://goodtimestories.wordpress.com/2013/11/28/words-of-thanksgiving-from-my-wordpress-and-personal-friends
Have a GREAT Thanksgiving. I am thankful for YOU!!
Lovely seeing photos of the Kaipara and finding fellow kiwis on WordPress! Those gumdiggers were a hardy bunch weren’t they!?
they certainly were
🙂
Dearest,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you, warmly, for the bottom of my heart, for all your support on my website. I am thrilled you enjoy my poetry and photographs, and to be perfectly honest, it is because of readers like you that I keep going… that and language itself, visiting me daily, asking me to play.
I also wanted to wish you a very merry Xmas and a happy new year. A lot of us bloggers deserve more than we receive. Hopefully one day we will receive the attention we’ve wished for for as long as we can remember, so that we may remain on the side of our craft, on the side of what we love, and light.
Sincerely,
Christos Polydorou.
Thank you Christos, for your lovely words, and I hope that for you Christmas and New Year bring many blessings.
Hello! I wanted to let you know that I posted your comments regarding your thoughts about Christmas, on my blog page. Please feel free to stop by and see the new blog. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and have a very, Merry Christmas my friend!!!
and to you as well…
Hi friend! I’ve nominated you for the Inner Peace Award. Follow this link for instructions:
http://painttheworldwithwords.wordpress.com/2014/02/14/im-at-peace
Thanks for the thought – I appreciate it, but don’t do Awards 🙂
You’re Welcome & its fine my friend 🙂
Maureen, your book Fearless Fred looks totally fabulous, all the very best with that. I was just admiring your photos of the Ruawai murals. I am a Ruawai person myself and am in the process of designing the Service Sheets for the combined church service for the Ruawai Centennial Celebrations. I came across your beautiful photos of the Ruawai murals and was wondering if I would be able to use your photos on the cover of the service sheet please. I have photos of the mural myself but yours are so much nicer…
No problems – you are welcome to use them for your Service Sheets. Thanks for your kind words
Thanks and blessings from Ruawai, Maureen. All the best with all your adventures and endeavours.
thanks Janet. If you want some without my signature just yell…
Thanks Maureen, all good thank you so much
Hello,lovely Blog,pleasure to be here,Regards,EM
thanks EM
Glad I stumbled upon your blog. It is beautiful, as gently laid out as the poetry and prose. Love that Rod only likes poems that rhyme. ;). xo, LMA
thank you for the kind words
Thanks for dropping by and liking a post on geokult-travel.com. Your blog looks great so am following 🙂
Cheers
Tracey
Thanks Tracey
I absolutely love your photography and writing! Wonderful meeting you!
the feeling is mutual. I’m looking forward to reading more of your work
Wonderful. 🙂
Maureen.
I’m glad you liked my Blue Hour poems(just accepted), and that you visited my web site.
I especially love your haiku. I’m addicted to that form also. Love the photography – such
a beautiful place to live and write. keep it up!
Dennis Herrell
Thanks Dennis
I love your pictures of flowers ! Thank you for visiting my blog, it is really appreciated ! I hope you enjoyed the flowers as well 🙂
I did thank you – and will visit again
Thanks for following ZimmerBitch 🙂
Hey there! Just happened across your blog and decided to give you a follow. If you like, check out my blog at http://www.thatssojacob.wordpress.com. Have a great day!
Thanks for the follow. I’ll be keeping an eye on your blog
Thank you for the follow today – I’m guessing you came via Gallivanta’s lovely post. It is always a pleasure meeting new folk, so welcome!
Yes, I did meet you through Gallivanta. Thanks for the welcome
Pleased to have found your intriguing blog. Looking forward to further visits. Regards Thom.
and I yours…
I came across your blog after noting your ‘kiwikan’ comment on From 1 A rtist 2 Another and curiosity brought me here. Also from a childhood in Christchurch (Sumner) I’m amazed that people can walk a beach and return without treasure and I really enjoyed going back, reading, enjoying the images. I’ll be back.
Hey! Congratulations! I’ve nominated you for the Real Neat Blog Award! Please acknowledge it here>> https://painttheworldwithwords.wordpress.com/2015/07/30/the-real-neat-blog-award/
Hi Amreen – thanks for the honour, but I don’t accept awards. I do appreciate your comment.
Hey! Oh its all fine ! Thanks 🙂
Have a nice day!
you also Amreen
🙂
A fellow poet. Pleased to meet you. 🙂
and you also…
Fabulous. 🙂
Greetings from Paint The World With Words! I’m Amreen Shaikh and I blog. Thank you following my blog! I must say, you have an amazing blog & great content! Good Work! I wished to contact you, but did not see an email ID! Can you please drop in your email ID on painttheworldwithwords@gmail.com?
I have sent an email. Thanks Amreen
Thank you!
Hi! I was wondering if you’d be interested in writing a guest post for the Walking With Intention series that I’m hosting this month at The Seeker’s Dungeon. If you have time or interest you can find the full details here: http://theseekersdungeon.com/30-days-of-walkingwithintention/
Thank you for the invitation. I will have a look at this…
Your blog is beautiful, particularly the images. Stay connected…..
Cheers
Thanks. I will
Hello Maureen! So nice to meet.. I worked in a library, I was not a librarian but felt like one and loved seeing all of the wonderful children’s books that I checked in and out. It inspired me. I have a few ideas but the thought is frozen, but not gone. Welcome to my blog… and we cannot go anywhere without a few rocks… getting in the car with us..
I’m looking forward to hearing more from you. Seems we have a bit in common. Thanks for the follow.
Dear Maureen,
My name is Catherine and I am a fellow poet and Kiwi from Christchurch, and the editor of the International Poets page for the monthly Australian magazine called FreeXpresSion. This is a magazine which upholds family values and is widely read by people from young teenagers upwards. I introduce one overseas poet each month on a once-only basis. There is no catch – copyright remains with authors, there is nothing to pay, and poets receive a complimentary copy of the issue in which their work is published via email from our editor. I am therefore writing to ask if you would permit me to introduce you some time this year with a few of your lovely poems? If so, I would be delighted to hear from you on the email below. I do hope you will accept this invitation Maureen, as I’m sure our readers would enjoy your work as much as I have. Kindest regards, Catherine Lee
Dear Maureen,
My name is Catherine and I am a fellow poet and Kiwi and the editor of the International Poets page for the monthly Australian magazine called FreeXpresSion. This is a magazine which upholds family values and is widely read by people from young teenagers upwards. I introduce one overseas poet each month on a once-only basis. There is no catch – copyright remains with authors, there is nothing to pay, and poets receive a complimentary copy of the issue in which their work is published via email from our editor. I am therefore writing to ask if you would permit me to introduce you some time with a few of your lovely poems? If so, I would be delighted to hear from you on: catherinelee40@hotmail.com. I do hope you will accept this invitation Maureen, as I’m sure our readers would enjoy your work as much as I have. Kindest regards, Catherine Lee
I have sent an email
Beautiful blog. Beautiful place. I look forward to following.
Thank you – and good luck with your publishing journey. As you have said, it can be long and difficult, but follow your dream.
I agree, I only like poems that rhyme, a sensible man.
I’ll tell Rod he has a supporter 🙂
Thanks for following my blog. You’ve got great photos, and congrats on the recent release of Fearless Fred.
Thanks Faran
My dear Maureen, taking a moment to wish you and Rod a joyous and healthy season, get well soon and keep safe, I am always intrigued by your photography which is so full of feeling and beauty ! May God grant you and yours all a new year chock full of joy and gladness ! And I enjoy poetry that doesn’t rhyme but sometimes sings ! Merry Christmas, even though no one knows the exact date, hahahaha ! Much love, Claire VB
Thanks so much Claire, my sister in Christ. God bless you also. May this be a very happy Christmas for you and yours. Love
Let us pray for peace and soon, regards to you both, may this new year bring good health and God’s love !