The next film in our Different Out Loud series is Te Ara Kanohi, an understated and emotionally powerful piece from poet Serie Barford. In her poem Te Ara Kanohi, she explores the emotional terrain of love and loss, in the geographical context of the west Auckland beaches and forests she and her late partner explored together. The second film in our Different Out Loud film series, filmed by Anna Marbrook, Te Ara Kanohi is a nuanced and powerful emotional discourse by one of New Zealand’s strongest poets at the top of her game.
I am looking forward to heading to Featherston’s Booktown at the beginning of May. I am doing several events with children and several adult ones, including a two-hour poetry workshop with children (if you know any that might like to come to that!).
A poetry feast on offering too! There are short popUP poetry readings in the hall – I am reading about 11 am.
Here are a few poetry highlights (there are more):
Listen to Selina Tusitala Marsh at the Fish’n’Chip Supper
Catch the fabulous energy of the Show Ponies crew with MC Jordan Hamel
My poetry workshop for children
Catch up with Rose Lu (ok not poetry but this will be great!)
More poetry! Get ready for a little truth-telling from Caro DeCarlo, Emma Barnes, Vana Manasiadis, Rachel McAlpine and Helen Rickerby.
Continuing our series of Late Nite Lit events, emerging poets Mike Fitzsimons, Tim Grgec, Tayi Tibble and Sam Duckor-Jones will square off against more established Aotearoa poets Paula Green; New Zealand’s first Pasifika Poet Laureate, Selina Tusitala Marsh; and Rachel McAlpine in a poetry collision. If the event runs to schedule and there aren’t prone bodies all over the stage, MC Mary McCallum will invite members of the audience to take the mic. Poetry Collision is supported by Creative New Zealand.
I get to make my poetry picks for the Book Awards!
The Takapuna Poetry Tour features contemporary poets performing poems in response to Takapuna and its writing history. Join us for spoken word and poetry on the streets. Poets include Jack Ross, Renee Liang, Kiri Piahana Wong, Elizabeth Morten and Ruby Porter.
From 22 April to 16 May, some of Auckland’s most enthusiastic city-lovers will be celebrating their place with free walking tours throughout our city’s neighbourhoods and I’m delighted to let you know the programme for the Urban Walking Festival 2021 is now online.
At the heart of the festival are 37 walks hosted by city-loving guides and local residents who will share the stories, beloved experiences and hidden gems of their local neighbourhood. The extensive programme includes urban hikes, guided tours, sensory explorations and opportunities to dance as well as an exciting mix of community-initiated walks and a stimulating programme of talks and films reflecting on walking in the city.
The Urban Walking Festival 2021 is inspired by the annual international festival of free, citizen-led walking conversations Jane’s Walks which celebrate writer and urban activist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walks happen across the globe and encourage people to share stories about their neighbourhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbours.
This year we’re delighted to include two free open-air screenings of Citizen Jane: Battle for The City in our festival line-up. This fascinating documentary follows Jane Jacob’s fight to save historic New York City from wholesale demolition and redevelopment during the 1960s. Screenings will be held in the city at Aotea Square and in Takapuna at 38 Hurstmere.
We couldn’t hit the streets without Eke Panuku and Auckland Transport whose support and assistance has helped us to grow the Urban Walking Festival 2021 to what it is today, with highlights such as:
Walking In Lockdown.
Five writers, including Russell Brown, Nisha Madhan, Karlo Mila, Zech Soakai and Kennedy Warne, tell their stories of walking in a time of COVID-19.
Henderson Night Hikoi.
Discover the night ecology of Henderson by exploring the hidden bush spots and trails around the Opanuku stream and Waikumete streams as the night falls over the town centre.
The Takapuna Poetry Walk and Citizen Jane: Battle for the City.
A poetry walk from Takapuna Beach to 38 Hurstmere, followed by an outdoor screening of the documentary Citizen Jane: Battle for the City.
Silent Disco City Walks.
Two new routes from the award-winning Silent Disco Citywalk, offering an energetic, multi-sensory outdoor experience and a new perspective on Ponsonby and Grey Lynn.
From Moses to Merge.
An urban hīkoi led by people who have lived experience of sleeping rough through the Karangahape Road precinct
NZ Poetry Shelf 