Toi Tū Toi Ora Opening Weekend: Spoken Word Poetry

Experience the power of the spoken word from these wāhine toa, with poetry that mixes witty and sassy with profound and hard-hitting. 

First, we will hear from three award-winning poets and writers:

• Annette Morehu (Tuhoe, Te Arawa, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa)

• Jacqueline Carter (Ngāi Tūkairangi of Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Patuwai and Ngāi Te Hapū of Ngāti Awa and Waitaha with links to Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Maru and Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu, English and Irish)

• Tayi Tibble from Te Whanganui a Tara (Te Whanau a Apanui/Ngati Porou)

Later, be amazed by the new talent of Ngā Hine Pūkorero, four wāhine Māori who have been winning Grand Slam events across Australasia since 2018.  They use the spoken word as a platform to bring attention to important topics and issues in our country, especially those that affect Māori, intertwining waiata and te reo Māori in their work to express their love for whakapapa and culture.

This performance is part of the evening entertainment at our huge, all-day event, Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art | Opening Weekend. The evening event will start at 5pm, and includes a celebration with interspersed music and poetry, drinks and kai.

Image credits: Annette Morehu; Jacqueline Carter (photographed by Lizzy Leckie); Tayi Tibble (photographed by Ebony Lamb Photography); Ngā Hine Pūkorero.