Hopurangi—Songcatcher Poems from the Maramataka

After rejoining social media, Robert Sullivan wrote and posted a poem a day over two and a half months – the poems collected in Hopurangi— Songcatcher. Inspired by the cyclical energies of the Maramataka, these poems see the poet re-finding himself and his world – in the matauranga of his kuia from the Ngati Hau and Ngati Kaharau hapu of Ngapuhi; in his mother’ s stories from his Ngati Manu hapu at Karetu; in the singing and storytelling at Puketeraki Marae, home of his father’ s people of Kati Huirapa, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha and Kai Tahu Whanui in Te Tai o Araiteuru; and in the fellowship of friends on Facebook. Tihei mauri ora!

Robert Sullivan (Ngapuhi, Kai Tahu) is the author of nine books of poetry as well as a graphic novel and an award-winning book of Maori legends for children.