Whai

by Nicole Titihuia Hawkins

Nicole Titihuia Hawkins’ first collection, Whai, introduces the voice of a strong and assertive poet, who is unashamedly herself. With poems centred around whānau, mana wāhine, and love, Whai explores what it means to be Māori in a colonised space. These poems are playful, staunch, vulnerable and at times utterly hilarious. They have big kaiako energy. While her work is anchored in the present, Hawkins stays in conversation with her ancestors, and looks towards the future.

Genres: Poetry

90 pages, Paperback

Published November 20, 2021

Reviews

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

Whai by Nicole Titihuia Hawkins is a poetry collection that made me feel so seen.

Identity, indigenising, decolonising and antiracism are consistent themes. But Hawkins also sprinkles in the less talked about parts of us - feeling small, uncared for and unlovable - making it feel authentic (or as I said - making me feel seen 😂).

Although it’s not explicit, there’s an understanding that wāhine Māori work harder. Cultural loading made worse by Pākehā being shitty treaty partners is explored and I was left feeling surrounded by my sisterhood.

I nodded through the email Hawkins *wants* to send, smiled and clinked my glass to having wainanga about racists and fuckbois, chortled at the marae, nanny, high-school, and workplace references and actually read out parts of the suggested Shortland Street revamp.

Don’t think for a second that this collection is just for brown women. While Hawkins shares experiences that will be familiar to brown women, it’s also for Pākehā and Tauiwi who could learn a thing or two about all the extra shit we’re grappling with.

I can’t wait to read more from this sister.

Thanks for sending this review copy @wearebbspress
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[Carolyn DeCarlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure. Each read allows access to a different, maybe deeper level of the book. My introduction to Nicole's work was at an event showcasing writing that needed a safe space, and hers hit hard but also had me in stitches. This collection feels like an extension of that – always true, never shying away from what's hard, but with big belly laughs and so many wonderful moments. I've read these poems over countless times and they still get me, I still feel like I don't expect them. They catch you in your vulnerable moments and hold you up when you're feeling alone. Nicole is unafraid to be everything she is, fully herself and all that that means, on the page. These poems are relatable, insightful, and fresh. Please do yourself a favor and read this book.

[Erin Pickering · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally devoured this collection.

[Kiriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elite 100000000/5 stars

[Te Aniwaniwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed to buy a forever copy because it's difficult to find a poetry book that gets better the more your read it. We love and need the fierce auntiness of Kahungunu wāhine on our shelves <3

My favourite section is Haka. "How to make a staunch Maori women: a recipe" is just brilliant; the idea of women being built is always something that interests me. "Tuia" hits so deep because it's so confrontational and it's exactly what you hear from aunties who slap back and don't accept any bullshit. I resonated with the fire that came as a response to Tuia250 cos me too sis

"Get lost" is a cool poem; shows how the author can do so much with so few words and the narrative of being free and an empowered and complex wāhine toa

Obvs a 10/10

[Miss Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dedication to aunties – priceless.

The inclusion of te reo in her poems goes beyond the odd word; the phrases seem essential to the overall understanding therefore encouraging readers to actively source a translation and be a lifelong learner. It’s probably a carefully considered decision to make the final poem in this collection ‘Aho’ all in Maori, not to mention the first poem in the collection on the subject of Ranginui and Papatūānuku.

There is diversity in her layout decisions: the stanzas of ‘How to make a staunch Māori woman: a recipe’ are numbered, ‘How to prepare for isolation’ and ‘Hihi’ have a, e, i, o u as stanza labels and remind me of the arapū waiata from school, the layout of ‘You can’t use the ‘R’ word’ with redactions adds an interesting element, ‘Tuia’ is written as lecture notes without full stops allowing ideas to flow, and ‘Kina eyes’ is a shape poem under the chapter named poi.

The tone of these poems flits like the tail of a fantail from ‘A culturally responsive pedagogy’ and ‘Matariki’ which are sad, to the thoughtful and contemplative ‘Learning Kōtiro Māori E’, enlightening ‘Rua tekau mā waru’, and the funny yet deep ‘Typecast’. ‘Juliette Lewis wears a piupiu’ offers a clear responsive view to recent events.

Hawkins is a youthful, fresh, enlightening and staunch voice. Just what I want in my classroom.

[Tara Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is amazing. Such a raw collection. Powerful as fuck. Makes you think

[Jordan Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

YEAH

[Gus Aiken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw and genuine

[Genevieve Poppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed parts of this collection, but have recently begun Te Reo lessons so I hope to come back someday to enjoy this in it's full glory. The words were raw and honest and spoke to the quotidian inequalities found in present society.