Pakiaka

'Pakiaka', the lean, essential debut volume by Gabrielle Huria, isa timely reminder of how good poetry can be at storytelling. The stories Huriatells are local and cosmic, firmly rooted in Ngai Tahu whakapapa and TeWaipounamu history but always attuned to the wide, interconnected world. Theseare accounts of stolen land and agricultural negligence, but also of tradition,connection, kaitiakitanga, birds, eels, rivers and winds. Of sharing kai andresponsibilities. These are poems that scoff at our complacencies and ask avital question: 'Is this what Maori women do? Carry the world on their backs?'