Rangikura

by Tayi Tibble

They saw things in me I wanted to see in myself

that’s why I let them see me that’s why I let them see me

on certain nights in certain lights when the planets

lined up like a string of pearls in the sky and the moon

was the correct hue.

Rangikura is the fiery second collection by Tayi Tibble.

These poems live in the space between the end of the world and a new day. They ask us to think about our relationship to desire and exploitation. They are both nostalgic for, and exhausted by, the pursuit of an endless summer.

Genres: Poetry, Indigenous, Nonfiction, Feminism, Audiobook, Contemporary, Adult

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 2021

About the author

Tayi Tibble (Te Whānau ā Apanui/Ngāti Porou) is an indigenous writer and poet based in Te Whanganui a Tara, Aoteraroa. She was born in 1995. In 2017, she completed a Master's in Creative Writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters, Victoria University of Wellington, where she was the recipient of the Adam Foundation Prize. She works in publicity at Te Herenga Waka University Press.

Reviews

[Francis Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am still a descendent of mountains / and they are still beautiful despite / everything they've entertained." Tayi's second collection is full of intermingled nostalgia and darker memories, shot through with lockdown restlessness and historical trauma, crafted by one of our great stylists. Even in its most uncomfortable and intense moments, she can still write a line or stanza that takes your breath away - especially in the double-punch of poems that close the collection. She's still growing and expanding everything that she and her poetry can do, and we're still watching the birth of a star.

[nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

READING VLOG

Major thanks to NetGalley and Victoria University Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts:

Homegurl is literally the next SZA. This is for my ABG bitches who wake up wake up gotta put on make up listening to Tinashe off a cracked iPhone, thinking about how much their ex pains them while working at your local boba joint with boys with nice cars whispering pretty little nothings all around you.

Lyrical at best, Tibble needs to quit playin and drop the mixtape already goddamn

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tayi's got it

[georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I said fuck I feel Māori when I'm swimming in a river!!!!!!!

[Sacha · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

I really love Tayi Tibble and felt that way before even cracking this collection. Since this is filled with one banger after another, I think she's even more fantastic now.

Tibble is particularly skilled at revealing culture, the joys and horrors of being a young woman, and specific (often cringe) moments. Anyone who's dated *that guy* in their early 20s will find aspects of this collection particularly resonant.

More to love about Tibble? The way her work is utterly compelling for my college literature students. I can't wait to infuse some of these works - along with others of hers already on my syllabus - in upcoming courses.

*Special thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Sam Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS EVERYTHING and I'm so gracious to Knopf Books for granting me advanced digital access to this bright and shiny gem, before publication day (April 9, 2024).

Tayi Tibble has a way with words and in Rangikura, we read about the destination one MC goes on to explore and love oneself better and harder. We're there for scraped knees and drug-infused trips gone wrong, and the generational ancestral traumas that follow closely behind the racist Karens of their cut-out world.

This entire book was badass and heartfelt, and had me chuckling at the creativity of it all. I yearn to fill my head with more prose such as this.

[Danya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gifted this beautiful Baddie book by Milly (also a beautiful Baddie) for my bday last year and finally got around to reading it. Witty, brilliant, owies and munched in one sitting. Perfect mix of laughs, heartbreak and truth bombs!

[Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sealey Challenge 2025: 28/31

Tayi Tibble’s second collection traces her journey through the different phases of girlhood and womanhood, capturing moments of identity, heritage, and self-definition with striking honesty. I truly devoured this book as Tibble’s voice felt both intimate and resonant, even though our backgrounds vary drastically. There’s something universal in the way she writes about becoming a woman in a world that so often tries to shape or objectify us, and she meets that gaze with power and poetry.

Yet, what I loved most about this collection is how Tibble roots her story in her family and culture, using them as touchstones that guide the emotional through-line of her work. The poems feel like an act of reclamation both in their boldness and how personal they felt.

Also, I highly recommend the audiobook for this one. Tibble’s narration adds a rhythm and cadence that feels almost musical, like listening to a rap performance woven with poetry. narrations. I hope to one day add a physical copy to my shelves because this was just too good to not revisit!

[Natalie Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Knopf for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I very much enjoyed the author's collection of poems and this one didn't disappoint. The poems are powerful and filled with so much emotion. The poems are vivid and conjure the feeling of place, being in that moment. The poem ranges from the land/New Zealand, being Maori, politics, pop culture, life of the younger self, exploitation, beauty and loss. There is something magical about these poems of the everyday ordinary which couldn't further from the truth.

[Esta Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually a poetry kind of person, but this was just beautiful. The familiar slang made me feel much more connected and I devoured this in one sitting. The cover art is also stunning (I will judge a book by its cover) which made me more inclined to jump into the poetry despite it not being really my thing. Leshgo Tayi

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poems focused on Tibboe’s Māori background, I thought the collection was beautiful, poignant and well written. There is a course grit to her sharp words that I connected with.

Thank you Knopf for the gifted copy to review.

[Sassy Sarah Reads]

I will return to this one day. My ARC copy expired while I drowning in the workload I had for grad school this semester. Literally didn't open my Netgalley app to read 1 time at all once the semester started and so many of my poetry and graphic novel arcs expired. This cover is beautiful and I do want to return!

[Abbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

this collection was sooooo sexy

[disco · Rating 4 out of 5]

The east coast vibes <3

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

“And we all sighed and rolled our eyes
With the distinct feeling that life
Was suspiciously too predictable
And already we knew everything
That we would ever be doing.”

[Olivia Swindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning and whip-smart collection of poetry.

Thank you to Knopf for my copy.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the ARC of this book through NetGalley and Knopf in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to this book because of the amazing artwork and description. Through her poetry, Tayi Tibble, brings the reader into her world and the world of her ancestors. It is a beautifully written book that I hope to share with my students and fellow teachers. I would encourage anyone who reads deeply personal poetry to pick up this book.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I didn't connect with this latest collection of poetry as much as I did the Indigenous New Zealand author's debut book. That said, the poem structures were very creative, had a strong voice and were sprinkled with colloquialisms that left me a bit puzzled. Personally this one wasn't for me but it was still a beautiful collection with a stunning cover to match! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Chloe Fergusson-Tibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

My ancestors ride wit me 😍

[Declan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

And i thought of Mary Magdalene, her beautiful hair
and how degraded she must have felt. Doesn't matter
that it was Jesus. All men think they're God's gift.

Equal parts funny, slutty and culturally relevant - she has such a strong voice that shines through in this poetry collection. And girl I just feel seen. Bumping that Nesian 101 and the other stuff too I guess. Tayi Tibble, Mana Wāhine.

Just like Papatūānuku
I breathe life
which is why my mother tongue
can still sing despite
its history of whippings

My favourite poems were Hot Hine Summer, Little, A Karakia for a humble Skux, and My Ancestors ride with me. I want to read her other collection because she is so real and I have also only looked my maunga in the eye once and slept under the ribs of my ancestors a couple of times. I love Tayi Tibble. I love my artsy Maori wāhine. Trust the girls to always serve. Hot Hine summer, imma start saying that now.

Half-caste daughters
of half-castes
about to fall into quarters
Cast out into cities
and universities...
Taking boyfriends
lie appointments with a doctor
A finger in the mouth and
wanting to say
ah or amen
or ugh, men

Thank you, she says, I like coconut. He grins and says, I thought you might. He is much more of a Milky bar anyway. But it is his joke, not hers.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poetry collection for all of the girls raised on Lana Del Rey's Born To Die. Sneaking liquor from your family, smoking weed with your sorta boyfriend, and reflecting on all of it. I love the irreverence for the world here. But don't be mistaken, her reverence for her spiritual world and cultural history never misses. A good mix of poems and proems (prose poems). I would point out specific poems that I loved but once I dug into this collection each poem was a hit. I particularly enjoyed the way she approached shame.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for this e-arc. <3

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually enjoy poetry but Audre Lorde tells me that is elitist of me. Anyway for most of the poetry I read it’s still a struggle. But not here because somehow this is transcendent.

“The world / is getting unbearably hot / but so am I”

Five stars, easily.

[Stefani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t read a ton of poetry but this was stunning.

It’s more contemporary, with modern references and pop culture mentions. They focus on growing up, womanhood and expectations, and culture.

I loved listening to this on audio, the author did a beautiful job reading her poetry, and it was a delight to listen to.

If you love poetry, or even if you don’t, I’d highly recommend giving this a listen!

Thank you @netgalley and @aaknopf for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a moving set of writings! A look into a life I would never live and a glimpse into her soul. It took me a while to get through these as I was considering them along the way, but I appreciate the opportunity to take in these words and thoughts and feelings.

[emma. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheeehoooooo.

[JJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit too faghag for me imo but you can't go wrong w a bit of Tayi Tibble. 4.5

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

the baddest bitch in the poetry game 🔥

[Janai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still too dumb to tell you why I loved this book of poetry!!!

[Kaelah ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 out of 5 book for me ◡̈
Loved the Lilo and Stitch reference!

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book conjures very specific and visceral memories that makes me want to vomit, which is to say this book is very good but perhaps not so good for me