photo credit: Kristine Zipfel

A new artwork has been added to Wellington Writers Walk – the Walk’s first sculpture in te reo Māori, and the first addition to the Walk since 2013.

Philippa Werry: Since the unveiling of the first eleven sculptures in 2002, the Wellington Writers Walk has become a much-loved part of the Wellington waterfront, with its series of sculptures that honour and celebrate the lives and works of New Zealand writers – poets, novelists, and playwrights, all with a connection to the city. The Walk’s first new sculpture since 2013, and the first in te reo Māori, was unveiled last month in time for Matariki. It features text by Ben Ngaia (Te Āti Awa) – gifted to the Walk by Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, with design by David Hakaraia (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Paoa) and landscape design by Tama Whiting (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui). It looks especially beautiful in the evening when its backlit letters glow against the backdrop of the harbour.

photo credit: Kristine Zipfel

the week on Poetry Shelf

Monday: Monday Poem: Crossing by Rhian Gallagher

Tuesday: Poetry Shelf Speaks Out: Practical Navigation by Lyndsey Knight

Wednesday: Poetry Shelf Playing Favourites: Damien Levi picks Liam Jacobson
Much to Liam Jacobson’s chagrin, I have lip-synced along to this poem (often incorrectly) at many places and spaces across Tāmaki Makaurau. One of my favourite contemporary New Zealand poems, ‘THE DAY MELTS AMONG ME’, paints a specific picture, though with a much more discerning hand than a landlord’s. Liam

Thursday: Poetry Shelf Pocket Reviews: Janet Newman on Lynn Jenner’s The Gum Trees of Kerikeri
‘Yet this is not a pessimistic book. It is a journey of enquiry in a life filled with everyday joy and confusion. Each poem feels satisfying yet curious: a small offering of humanity with a grounding effect at a time of crisis.’ Janet

Friday: audio and conversation with Airini Beautrais
“At my launch I said that poetry is my first love, and it is my favourite genre to write in because I feel that it is where words meet spirit. To me it matters in more of a psychological and spiritual way than an aesthetic or intellectual way. Poetry is very diverse and means lots of different things to different people, but I see a strong connection between poetry and prayer, chant, meditation and music.”

Invitations

I am very sorry but in order to manage my tiny energy jar I do not publish unsolicited poems.

An invitation: If you have a poem that fits my ongoing series Speaking Out To For With – do send – political gets personal, personal gets political, poetry speaks out and sideways, whether quietly or loudly. paulajoygreen@gmail.com

An invitation: Choose a poetry book published in Aotearoa in 2025 or 2026 and write a paragraph in response to why you are drawn to the book. With permission from the poet/publisher I could include a poem. paulajoygreen@gmail.com

My public postal address: PO Box 58, Waitākere, 0660