Writer awarded Hawaii residency

Writer Victor Rodger is Hawaii-bound after winning the 2006 Pacific Writers' Residency.

Rodger, who was born and grew up in Christchurch, plans to use the residency to write a screenplay drawing on events in his semi-autobiographical play, Sons.

"As a gay Samoan writer, I want this film to give a voice to a group of Pacific Islanders who have been largely unrepresented in film and theatre," he said.

He has written four plays and is adapting Witi Ihimaera's The Uncle's Story for film.