Stratford honours All Blacks

For almost 80 years, Trevor Rowe has been writing poems - poems are his life.

Earlier this month, Trevor gifted All Blacks Conrad Smith, Andy Ellis and Adam Thompson with his 3000th

poem, The Story of the Glory of the All Blacks.

``This, I think is one of the best poems I have written. I put more thought, vision and effort into this poem because it had to be right,'' says Trevor.

``It's the biggest thing that's happened since Jesus was here,'' he says, referring to the Rugby World Cup.

Trevor wrote his first poem at the age of 11 and has been writing ever since.

``Poetry is my life. I'm an old- fashioned poet, that's the way was taught at school,'' he says.

Trevor has travelled the country reading his poems and has gained an honourable title.

``I've got the title of New Zealand's most prolific writer of poetry - the way it used to be.''

Trevor has been called New Zealand's own Banjo Patterson (Patterson wrote the lyrics of

Waltzing Matilda) but says he must be in the right frame of mind to write his poems.

``I have to get into a trance. Words come through me that I have never heard. I love getting the messages that come through me,'' he says.

If you would like to purchase a copy of his tribute to the All Blacks, email trevor.rowe@mail.com or phone (06) 765 8035.