Nau mai, haere mai.

Join with us at Enjoy for a special afternoon with writers Debbie Broughton and Hana Buchanan, performing stories of Waimāpihi and Te Aro Pā, readings of their writing and writing from fellow Te Aro Pā poet, Rachel Buchanan.

Debbie Broughton and Hana Buchanan work with words. They are members of Te Aro Pā Poets rōpū and descend from tūpuna of Te Aro Pā who were the first voices of encounter when Pākehā came into Te Whanganui a Tara. They are contemporary voices, part of a long line of Taranaki writers and artists with something to say on their tūrangawaewae—which includes where Enjoy Contemporary Art Space stands—here in the capital city.

Hana and Debbie will talk of their connection to the whenua and to Waimapihi, reflecting on and responding to the exhibition Ko wai a Māpihi? This is not water then share moemoeā (dreams/visions) for Waimapihi and Te Aro Pā.

Stay afterwards for a kapu tī and a biscuit and free-flowing korero.

ABOUT TE ARO PĀ POETS

Debbie Broughton (Ngāti Haumia, Taranaki, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) writes about her generation's experiences as a record for her tamariki mokopuna. Debbie’s background is in laws, philosophy and research. Her poetry was displayed at Te Aro Pā in the Lightbox Exhibition, Magical Māori Mystery Tour of Wellington (2017). Debbie’s first book of poetry, about being a descendant of tūpuna who lived at Te Aro Pā, will be published in 2022 by Te Tākupu (Te Wānanga o Raukawa).
https://www.debbiebroughton.com

Hana Buchanan (Ngati Haumia, Taranaki, Te Atiawa) has long been interested in words, sounds and language and has a background in linguistics and education. As she has committed to the endless journey of reclaiming tōna reo rangatira me ōna tikanga new avenues of expression have opened up. Hana responds and collaborates through writing toikupu and poetry, contributing pao and composing waiata.

Rachel Buchanan (Ngāti Haumia, Taranaki, Te Ātiawa) writes history, memoir, journalism and speeches with bits of slam poetry thrown in to keep things interesting. Rachel is the author of The Parihaka Album: Lest We Forget (Huia, 2009), Stop Press: The Last Days of Newspapers (Scribe, 2013) and Ko Taranaki Te Maunga (BWB Texts, 2018). Her new book, about the Motunui Epa, will be published by Bridget Williams in mid-2022.
Twitter: @BuchananRachel