An evening of ecopoetry conversation and poetry reading with Janet Newman and Robin Peace, with host, Helen Lehndorf.

Award-winning local writer, Janet Newman has co-edited, with poet and professor Robert Sullivan, a significant new anthology of ecopoetry in Aotearoa, ‘Koe’. ‘Koe’ charts the genesis, development and heritage of a unique Aotearoa ecopoetry derived from both traditional Māori poetry and the English poetry canon. Janet is also the author of the ecopoetry book, ‘Unseasoned Campaigner’.

Poet Robin Peace recently published her second book, ‘Detritus of Empire’. Drawing from Robin’s long career in geography the book explores the idea of introduced plants as colonisers, echoing the habits of humans. The book weaves Robin’s personal history with the complexities of living in a colonised land. The writing is deft, precise and sensitive.

Janet and Robin will be in conversation with local writer Helen Lehndorf, author of A Forager’s Life and long time eco-writer.

This evening will be nourishment for the mind and an invitation to look more closely at the land, flora and fauna around us.