Koe: An Aotearoa Ecopoetry Anthology

by Janet Newman (Editor), Robert Sullivan (Editor)

In Koe, editors Janet Newman and Robert Sullivan reveal the genesis, development and heritage of a unique Aotearoa New Zealand ecopoetry derived from both traditional Maori poetry and the English language poetry canon. Organised chronologically into three sections - representing the early years (poets born in or before the nineteenth century), the middle years of the twentieth century, and the twenty-first century 'now' - each segment presents a diverse array of voices. Across all these time frames, speaking from the conditions of their era, the poets delve into themes of humility, reverence and interconnectedness with the nonhuman world. They challenge traditional Eurocentric perspectives, highlight the significance of indigenous narratives, and wrestle with the impacts of European colonisation. With these poems of celebration, elegy, apprehension, hope and activism, Koe gives us the history that holds our future.

300 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Professor Janet Elizabeth Newman is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Social Sciences & Global Studies at The Open University.