NZ poetry favourites for National Poetry Day
Some hot picks of recently published poetry titles by Aotearoa authors.
Today is National Poetry Day here in Aotearoa, so to celebrate I have picked a few recent NZ poetry collections off the shelf to recommend. There are great new books of poetry published in New Zealand almost every week. So, whether or not you take any notice of my recommendations, it’s a great time to head to your local library or independent bookstore and pick up some poetry.
Liveability by Claire Orchard (2023)
This collection from Wellington poet Claire Orchard, released in the past few months, is a fun and homely book. It sets out to be “an ode to the eccentricities and occasional sorrows of the everyday”, and it sticks admirably to that task. There is a warmth and humour to Orchard’s poems, and the language and tempo she uses makes her writing feel accessible. There is a stretch of three poems deep into the book — Seen, Burning with a low blue flame, and Denial — which are all beauties. Oh, and I love the cover, it’s so… simple yet delightful.
Another Beautiful Day Indoors by Erik Kennedy (2022)
Climate change activism, the plight of capitalism, the big issues are not sidestepped in these poems by Erik Kennedy. But while the poems are often about serious topics, Kennedy does not offer an out-and-out lecture (that of course, would be boring, and not really poetry). Instead, he laughs with you, but he also lets you know when you’re not toeing the line. Many of the poems rhyme, which is far from a given in contemporary poetry.
Rangikura by Tayi Tibble (2021)
Rangikura is the second poetry collection by Tayi Tibble, following her 2019 book Poukahangatus. Tibble recently became the fourth New Zealander, and first wahine Māori, to be published in The New Yorker, with her poem Creation Story.
While at times it felt hard to get my arms around the poems in Rangikura, what I lacked in understanding was made up for in feeling. Some of the feelings and themes present in the collection include objectification, fighting for what is taken, bumps and bruises, and pride in where one has come from.
Super Model Minority by Chris Tse (2022)
This is the most recent collection from New Zealand’s current poet laureate. I recently made my way through his three books — How to be Dead in a Year of Snakes and he’s so MASC are his previous two — and enjoyed them all. Tse’s poems are plentiful in their pop culture references and the structure of his books feel thoughtful rather than random.
It’s a good day to…
Watch the 1999 New Zealand documentary Campaign. It’s an astonishingly open and honest look at the race for the Wellington Central seat in the 1996 election. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore and you can watch it for free on NZ On Screen.
Listen to Malcolm Gladwell talk about murder mysteries, fictional detectives, and police procedurals, and how they influence how people view real-life policing.
That is all for this week. Thank you for reading.