Bill Direen

Bill Direen (also William Direen) is a musician and poet. Direen has published many books and appeared at reading events and book festivals in New Zealand, the USA and Eastern Europe. He is better known for his music and songs, recorded and performed with musicians in NZ and overseas. He manages the music group Bilders. Alone or with a group, he has made small tours of New Zealand, USA, Europe, Serbia and Australia. He is the subject of a documentary, Bill Direen, A Memory of Others, directed by Simon Ogston (2017). In October 2025, Direen became an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Te Tumu Toi laureate, for his contribution to both writing and music.