Meet the Poets: Katūīvei launch this Friday at Newtown!

Our Katūīvei Pasifika Poetry Readings event is almost here, so we thought we’d introduce you to some of the talented poets who will be reading at the event! Join us on Friday at Te Puna Waiora Newtown Library, 6-7pm for a dynamic night of contemporary poetry readings to celebrate the launch of this exciting new book (published by Massey University Press) hosted by former Poet Laureate and editor David Eggleton.

Karlo Mila MNZM is a Pasifika writer and poet of Tongan (the villages of Kolofo’ou and Ofu), as well as Samoan and Pākehā descent. Her first collection, Dream Fish Floating (Huia, 2005) won the NZSA Jessie Mackay Best First Book Award for Poetry at the 2006 New Zealand Post Book Awards. She has subsequently published two further poetry collections, also with Huia: A Well Written Body (2008) and Goddess Muscle (2020).

 

Maringikura Mary Campbell lives in Pukerua Bay in the old family home with her whānau. She is the mother of three sons and four mokopuna. Identity, loss, tūpuna and wairua are common themes in her writing. She is not a prolific writer, but rather writes when a poem is given or there is fire in her belly.

 

 

Rob Hack was born in Invercargill and is of Cook Island and Kiwi heritage. He had an awesome childhood on Niue and after several forays around Australia now lives on the Kāpiti Coast. He runs two weekly creative writing classes at Te Ara Korowai in Raumati Beach and hosts a monthly radio show on Te Pae called Not at the Table: Poetry and Stuff. He is researching and writing about the life and times of Papa (Sir) Tom Davis.

 

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Katūīvei: Pasifika Poetry Event at Newtown Library!

Join us at Te Puna Waiora Newtown Library on Friday 19 April, 6-7pm to launch the new book Katūīvei: Contemporary Pasifika Poetry from Aotearoa New Zealand, published by Massey University Press. Enjoy a dynamic line-up of readings by local poets that celebrate Pacific peoples and cultures in Aotearoa today. This unmissable evening will be hosted by editor and former Poet Laureate, David Eggleton and will feature readings by Karlo Mila, Rhegan Tu’akoi, Josua Tuwere, Tamara Tulitua, Kristoffer Lavasi’i, Gem Wilder, Rob HackLosalini Tuwere, Mereana Latimer and Maringikura Mary Campbell.

Āhea | When 6pm–7pm, Friday 19 April 2024
Ki hea | Where Te Puna Waiora Newtown Library
Te utu | Cost Free
Facebook Event

Katūīvei: Contemporary Pasifika Poetry from Aotearoa New Zealand
“To write poetry in New Zealand as a Pacific migrant is an act of wayfinding, a creative process of discovery and negotiation between cultural spaces. This collection of 137 poems by 89 Aotearoa-based Pacific poets explores that navigation. This significant collection ranges from long-established voices such as Albert Wendt, Selina Tusitala Marsh and David Eggleton and the powerful newer voices of poets such as Tusiata Avia, Courtney Sina Meredith, Karlo Mila and Grace Iwashita-Taylor to new and emerging voices. Deep and rich, like Moana Oceania itself, it shows Pasifika poetry to be in a constant state of ‘old and new’, of haharagi and lelea’ mafua, a lively and evolving continuum.” (Catalogue)

David Eggleton is a poet and writer of Rotuman, Tongan and Pākehā heritage. His collection The Conch Trumpet (Otago University Press, 2015) won the 2016 Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry at the 2016 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. He also received the 2016 Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in Poetry. David was the Aotearoa New Zealand Poet Laureate from 2019 to 2021.

We anticipate this event will be popular and will be seated on a first-come first-served basis, please arrive early to avoid any disappointment.

Gardening around the globe: new books

Discover the iconic English gardens of Pemberley and the secret gardens hidden in all corners of Cornwall.  For the literature-loving gardeners out there, check out the lush surrounds of iconic writers’ homes including Edith Wharton, Louisa May Alcott and Agatha Christie. Or be inspired by the natural and self sufficient gardens right here in Aotearoa New Zealand. You can take a gardening tour around the world with these recent green-fingered reads!

The natural garden : landscape ideas for New Zealand gardens / White, Xanthe
The Natural Garden builds on Xanthe White’s signature landscape design with contemporary updates. Xanthe shares her design philosophy of nurturing a respectful and sustainable relationship with the natural world, and how her signature style can be applied to flower, native, rural, dry, inner city, productive, subtropical and coastal gardens.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

What makes a garden / Blom, Jinny
“This fascinating and insightful book looks at how a garden should please all five senses; how it is an alchemical mix of the inanimate and the living; and also how it has to accommodate both the effects of time and the influences of culture. This is not intended as a book of rules but rather a way of thinking about garden design and making sure it responds to the particularities of place, the culture and the demands of the client.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

The writer’s garden : how gardens inspired the world’s great authors / Bennett, Jackie
“Discover the flower gardens, vegetable plots, landscapes and writing hideaways of 30 great authors – from Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Orchard House’ where she wrote Little Women and Agatha Christie at Greenway, to Virginia Woolf at Monk’s House and the Massachusetts home of Edith Wharton. This book visits the homes and gardens that inspired novelists, poets and playwrights.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

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Level up your home: New interior design books

Gush over the stunningly curated homes from the world’s best designers, architects and influencers.  For the maximalists there’s wallpaper laden, textured, clashing-print wonderlands. Or if you’re after neutral, refined and chic there are inspiring homes from beachside shacks to country classics. Check out these recent reads for all your home and interiors inspiration!

Beachside modern / Li, Lauren
“Modern beachside style is more than shells and surfboards. Whether the inspiration comes from nautical themes, natural elements, winter moods or the charm of the Mediterranean, the priority is always comfort and tranquility. It doesn’t matter if you don’t live near the beach – the spirit can be captured anywhere.” (Catalogue)

 

Organized living : solutions and inspiration for your home / Gill, Shira
“Get inspired to level up your home organization with tips, worksheets, Q&As, and photos of the living spaces of twenty-five international home organizers, from the author of Minimalista.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Country homes in Australia. Volume II
“Take a journey with Country Style through the beautiful country homes that dot our landscapes, from an historic sandstone cottage to a classic Queenslander and everything in between.” (Catalogue)

 

 

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The Topp Twins’ bio: Pride eBook Club special!

Celebrate Wellington Pride by joining us in reading Untouchable Girls: The Topp Twins’ Story. From March 8 to March 17, we’re providing unlimited eBook copies of the Topp Twins’ acclaimed biography. That means no waiting in long reserves queues – you’ll get free and instant access on Libby!

Untouchable Girls is described as ‘a rollicking, intimate, uproarious romp through the triumphant lives of Jools and Lynda that will make you want to sing, to go on the road, ride horses, fall in love and never stop laughing’ (Kete Books) — find out more below, or borrow a copy today!

Untouchable girls : the Topp Twins’ story / Topp, Jules (eBook)
“The iconic Kiwi duo – comedians, country music stars, yodellers, lesbians – in their own words. This is the incredible story of how a couple of country kids from Huntly became much-loved Kiwi icons and TV stars, with their own unique brand of original country music and comedy that has captivated audiences in New Zealand and overseas for more than 40 years. Jools and Lynda Topp aka The Topp Twins tell this story in their own words, describing their adventurous lives through laugh-out-loud anecdotes and heartwarming tales. As well as enjoying long careers as country music stars and comedians, with their characters like Camp Mother & Camp Leader and Ken & Ken, the twins have always stood up for their political beliefs and have been embraced by New Zealanders from all walks of life. Including never-before-told stories and images, this is a nostalgic and important historic record of the lives of two ground-breaking and inspiring women, and of the times through which they’ve lived.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Katherine Mansfield Centenary Event with author Redmer Yska

Last year was the centenary of Katherine Mansfield’s death and to mark the iconic writer’s legacy we held a special event at Te Māhanga Karori Library. Redmer Yska, author of ‘Katherine Mansfield’s Europe: Station to Station’, was joined by our Local & NZ History Specialist Gábor Tóth to deep dive into Mansfield’s words, travels and her Karori connections. Hear how Yska traced and pulled together letters, journals and research to compile this fascinating insight into Mansfield that acts as part travelogue, part literary biography, part detective story and part ghost story. 

Redmer Yska is an award-winning writer and historian based in Wellington. ‘Katherine Mansfield’s Europe: Station to Station’ is Yska’s second book on the iconic writer, his first book on Mansfield ‘A Strange Beautiful Excitement: Katherine Mansfield’s Wellington’ was shortlisted for the 2018 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

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