Puna Wai Korero: An Anthology of Maori Poetry in English

In this pioneering anthology, two leading Maori poets and scholars collect together many Maori poetic voices in English and let flow a wellspring of poetry.

From revered established writers as well as exciting new voices, the poems in Puna Wai Korero offer a broad picture of Maori poetry in English. The voices are many and diverse: confident, angry, traditional, respectful, experimental, despairing and full of hope, expressing a range of poetic techniques and the full scope of what it is to be Maori.

The anthology collects work from the many iwi and hapu of Aotearoa as well as Maori living in Australia and around the world, featuring the work of Hone Tuwhare, J. C. Sturm, Trixie Te Arama Menzies, Keri Hulme, Apirana Taylor, Roma Potiki, Hinemoana Baker, Tracey Tawhiao and others as well as writers better known for forms other than poetry such as Witi Ihimaera, Paula Morris and Ngahuia Te Awekotuku. Short biographies are given for each poet, and the introduction, glossary and poem dates will make this taonga of Maori poetry especially useful in schools and other learning institutions.

From Rangi Faiths Karakia to a silent island to Ben Brown claiming back Baxters Maori Jesus, Phil Kawanas Scenes from a council tenancy and Reihana Robinsons rewrites of the Rona and the moon legend, Tuwhares lines on a snail shell and Jacq Carters lines on the Omaru River, there is much diversity in this kete. There are poems from all walks of life and using different modes of writing, laments for koro and hopes for mokopuna, celebrations of the land and anger at its abuse, retellings of myth and reclamations of history.

From the chanted songs and oratory of a traditional culture, to engagement with the English language in the nineteenth century, and on into the cultural revival of the late twentieth century, Maori have always been deeply engaged with poetic forms, and Puna Wai Korero showcases that deep whakapapa and celebrates its current strength.

Featured in the 4 August 2014 New Zealand newsletter.
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