May 17, 2004

North Shore City hosts tribute to Michael King

The North Shore City Council and the Frank Sargeson Trust are holding a public tribute to Michael King at the Bruce Mason Centre this Wednesday, May 19 at 7pm and an open invitation is extended to anyone who wishes to attend the event.

The author died in a road accident with his wife Maria Jungkowska on March 30.

North Shore City Mayor George Wood says the event will allow people to pay tribute to the author and his wife.

"While there was an official memorial service in Wellington, Michael King had a long association with the North Shore and I know there are many people here and in greater Auckland who would like to pay tribute to him.

"This is an opportunity for us to come together to share our memories of both Michael and Maria and to celebrate their extraordinary achievements," he says.

Speakers at the tribute will include Dame Anne Salmond, poet Kevin Ireland, author and commentator Gordon McLauchlan, Michael King's daughter Rachel King, North Shore City Mayor George Wood, and publisher Geoff Walker.

A long time friend of the couple, publisher Christine Cole Catley, who chairs the Sargeson Trust, will also speak at the tribute. Michael was deputy chair of the trust, established to preserve Frank Sargeson's house in Esmonde Road, Takapuna, since its inception.

"Michael lived and wrote in Browns Bay for many years," she says. "He was one of New Zealand's truly outstanding people, and so many want to come together for an appropriate celebration of his life."

ENDS

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