Albert Wendt is of the Aiga Sa-Tuaopepe of Lefaga, the Aiga Sa-Maualaivao of Malie and the Aiga Sa-Patu of Vaiala of Samoa. He first came to New Zealand in 1952, where he went to high school, teachers training college and university. Later he was Principal of Samoa College and Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Pacific Literature at the University of the South Pacific. At present he is Professor of English at the University of Auckland. He has published numerous novels and poetry as well as short stories.