This collection of 53 poems - 35 not previously in book form - ranges from sensual through erotic to environmental and political. Also included are two stories, Shape-Shifter and Maui & Toko, creative inventions based on Maori Legend.
Hone Tuwhare was New Zealand’s most distinguished Maori poet writing in English. He was born in Kaikohe into the Nga Puhi tribe (hapu Ngati Korokoro, Ngati Tautahi, Te Popoto, Uri-o-hau). He began writing during his apprenticeship on the railways, where he became involved in trade unions. He was an organiser of the first Maori Writers and Artists Conference at Te Kaha in 1973 and participated in the Maori Land March of 1975. Tuwhare won two Montana NZ Book Awards, was Te Mata Poet Laureate, and held two honorary doctorates in literature. In 2003 he was among ten of New Zealand’s greatest living artists named as Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Artists. Tuwhare passed away in 2008.
Big Whale Itch Salvaged Thank you Letter / Poem Yes When The Karaka Trees Whistled and Said To Us : Kia Kaha Inconspicuously Sensual Sparrow-fart, Is a Tremor of Light at Dawn To a Girl Poet Sun-rise God's Dat to You Too Thee I Take Your Pulse Prayer Before Going to Bed