Apirana Taylor, of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou and Taranaki descent, has published several collections of poetry, short stories and novels. He has also published prolifically in other mediums including sound and video recordings. He writes for children and theatre. He tours internationally as a storyteller.
In the late 1970s Apirana was one of the original founders of groundbreaking Māori theatre group, Te Ohu Whakaari. Taylor’s first collection of poetry, Eyes of the Ruru, established his powerful voice among Māori writers and his prose, written predominantly in realist modes, firmly established his literary presence.