Koe invites readers to explore human connections with nature through a selection of over 100 poems composed in Aotearoa New Zealand from pre-European times to the present day. Including a substantial introduction and editors' notes, Koe is the first anthology to provide a comprehensive overview of ecopoetic traditions in Aotearoa and to locate these traditions as part of the global ecopoetry scene.
In Koe, editors Janet Newman and Robert Sullivan reveal the genesis, development and heritage of a unique Aotearoa New Zealand ecopoetry derived from both traditional Māori poetry and the English poetry canon. Organised chronologically into three sections -- representing the early years (poets born in or before the nineteenth century), the middle years of the twentieth century, and the twenty-first-century 'now' -- each segment presents a diverse array of voices. Across all these time frames, speaking from the conditions of their era, the poets delve into themes of humility, reverence and interconnectedness with the nonhuman world. They challenge traditional Eurocentric perspectives, highlight the significance of indigenous narratives, and wrestle with the impacts of European colonisation.
With more than 100 poems of celebration, elgy, apprehension, hope and activism, Koe gives us the history that holds our future.
CONTRIBUTORS: Fleur Adcock; Jenny Argante; Bridget Auchmuty; Tusiata Avia; Hinemoana Baker; Alexander Bathgate; Airini Beautrais; Blanche Baughan; James K. Baxter; Mary Ursula Bethell; Peter Bland; Arapera Blank; Charles Brasch; Brenda Ann Burke; Alistair Te Ariki Campbell; Jacqueline Carter; Jonathan Cweorth; Ruth Dallas; Harry Dansey; Lynn Davidson; Lauris Edmond; David Eggleton; Te Māreikura Hori Enoka; Rangi Faith; Fiona Farrell; Sue Fitchett; Alison Glenny; Tricia Glensor; Denis Glover; Patricia Grace; Kerehi Waiariki Grace; Jordan Hamel; Horomona Hapai; Rangi Tanira Harrison; Dinah Hawken; Rebecca Hawkes; Helen Heath; Noleen Hood; Peter Hooper; John Howell; Keri Hulme; Sam Hunt; Francis Hutchinson; Gail Ingram; Kevin Ireland; Anna Jackson; Ash Davida Jane; Tim Jones; Anne Kennedy; Erik Kennedy; Megan Kitching; Leicester Kyle; Arihia Latham; Helen Lehndorf; Toi Te Rito Maihi; Bill Manhire; Selina Tusitala Marsh; Carolyn McCurdie; Donald McDonald; Maria McMillan; Cilla McQueen; Vanessa Mei; Hirini Melbourne; Trixie Te Arama Menzies; Karlo Mila; Barry Mitcalfe; Harvey Molloy; Elizabeth Morton; Alan Mulgan; Saana Murray; Emma Neale; John Newton; Naomi O’Connor; Chris Orsman; Evelyn Patuawa-Nathan; Merimeri Penfold; Vernice Wineera Pere; Kiri Piahana-Wong; Robyn Maree Pickens; Nina Mingya Powles; Pāora Te Pōtangaroa; Roma Potiki; Vaughan Rapatahana; Richard Reeve; William Pember Reeves; Harry Ricketts; Te Kahu Rolleston; Pua Roro; Sam Sampson; Tim Saunders; Keith Sinclair; Elizabeth Smither; Ruby Solly; J.C. Sturm; Jillian Sullivan; Apirana Taylor; Ngahuia Te Awekotuku; Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki; Tayi Tibble; Anthonie Tonnon; Denys Trussell; Tūmatahina; Brian Turner; Hone Tuwhare; Tim Upperton; Muru Walters; Ian Wedde; Albert Wendt; Dora Wilcox; George Phipps Williams; Anne Glenny Wilson; Briar Wood; Sue Wootton.