Rachel Buchanan, Debbie Broughton and Hana Buchanan work with words. They are “Te Aro Pā Poets” 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 Te Papa Tongarewa stands—here in the capital city.

Rachel Buchanan (Ngāti Haumia, Taranaki, Te Ātiawa) writes poems, essays, articles, speeches and books. She is the author of The Parihaka Album: Lest We Forget (Huia), Stop Press: the last days of newspapers (Scribe) and Ko Taranaki Te Maunga (BWB Texts). Her new book, Te Motunui Epa, will be published by BWB Books in November 2022. It is bookended by poems, one by J.C. Sturm, the other by Hana Buchanan.

Debbie Broughton (Ngāti Haumia, Taranaki, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) writes about her generation's experiences for her tamariki mokopuna. Debbie is the author of the poetry collection, The Ani Waaka Room, available from 1 November from Te Tākupu press (Te Wānanga o Raukawa).

Hana Buchanan (Ngāti Haumia, Taranaki iwi, Te Ātiawa) has long been interested in words, sounds and language and has a background in linguistics and education. Hana writes in te reo Māori and English and enjoys creative collaborations. A collection of her toikupu is forthcoming.

[Watch this space for future kōrero, collaborations and contributions from the poets of Te Aro Pā.]

Verb Festival 2022 Appearances:
Toi te Kupu, Wed 2 Nov, 6pm [FREE EVENT].