Join us at Te Puna Waiora Newtown Library on Friday 19 April, 6-7pm to launch the new book Katūīvei: Contemporary Pasifika Poetry from Aotearoa New Zealand, published by Massey University Press. Enjoy a dynamic line-up of readings by local poets that celebrate Pacific peoples and cultures in Aotearoa today. This unmissable evening will be hosted by editor and former Poet Laureate, David Eggleton and will feature readings by Karlo Mila, Rhegan Tu’akoi, Josua Tuwere, Tamara Tulitua, Kristoffer Lavasi’i, Gem Wilder, Rob Hack, Losalini Tuwere, Mereana Latimer and Maringikura Mary Campbell.

Āhea | When 6pm–7pm, Friday 19 April 2024
Ki hea | Where Te Puna Waiora Newtown Library
Te utu | Cost Free
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Katūīvei: Contemporary Pasifika Poetry from Aotearoa New Zealand
“To write poetry in New Zealand as a Pacific migrant is an act of wayfinding, a creative process of discovery and negotiation between cultural spaces. This collection of 137 poems by 89 Aotearoa-based Pacific poets explores that navigation. This significant collection ranges from long-established voices such as Albert Wendt, Selina Tusitala Marsh and David Eggleton and the powerful newer voices of poets such as Tusiata Avia, Courtney Sina Meredith, Karlo Mila and Grace Iwashita-Taylor to new and emerging voices. Deep and rich, like Moana Oceania itself, it shows Pasifika poetry to be in a constant state of ‘old and new’, of haharagi and lelea’ mafua, a lively and evolving continuum.” (Catalogue)

David Eggleton is a poet and writer of Rotuman, Tongan and Pākehā heritage. His collection The Conch Trumpet (Otago University Press, 2015) won the 2016 Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry at the 2016 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. He also received the 2016 Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in Poetry. David was the Aotearoa New Zealand Poet Laureate from 2019 to 2021.

We anticipate this event will be popular and will be seated on a first-come first-served basis, please arrive early to avoid any disappointment.