To me, poetry is the language of the mind. It is there that we have the most fascinating of conversations. I hope that one of these voices (in the form of one of my poems) connects with you. 

A poet only starts the dialogue, and the reader fills in the gaps - such is the relationship.

You will find I have helped in the understanding by sharing my explanation around each poem. Please read the notation that accompanies each one.

Koauau (NZ Māori Flute)
This poem tells of the flute as a family heirloom that’s passed from generation to generation. It’s loosely based on the journey of one of our family pieces called Mahu-Tai-Te-Rangi, a tiki which was crafted from inanga (a very pale greenstone) for the great chief Tahu Potiki (the founder of one of the South Island tribes Ngai Tahu) who gave it as a tribal exchange for Hamo-Te-Rangi, his older brother’s widow (who was Porourangi, the founder of Ngāti Porou). Tahu had loved Hamo-Te-Rangi secretly. The tiki has journeyed through 25 generations since the time of Tahu. It now lies lovingly within the protection of my family.

Kōpū (Venus)
To some, the full NZ Māori name is Kōpūparapara which describes the planet Venus / morning star / evening star. I wrote this little ditty in April 2010 sparked around a childhood memory I have of my grand-uncle explaining how the Māori measured distances. I initially wrote Kōpū as an oriori (children’s lullaby) for my youngest child who is four years old. As you can see, it shines as a poem too.

Rākau Rangatira (Noble Trees) 
This bilingual poem is about rejuvenation, preservation, and sustainability. I explain it through the whakapapa (genealogy) of nature and its connection to humanity as one does not exist without the other. It’s about remembering the agreement between the two which so far seems to have been forgotten – a betrayal of sorts. As a side note, I first released it as a poi composition but it now breathes better as a poem.