At the Heart of It

The writing of both Airana Ngarewa (Pātea Boys, The Bone Tree) and Michelle Rahurahu (Poorhara) is fresh, gifted, irreverent and authentically Maaori.

Effortlessly infused with te reo and characters that slice close to real life, their books burn with a brightness that is specific to Aotearoa, telling of individuals trapped in cycles and wanting more, with punchy dialogue that is uniquely local in flavour.

Both writers talk about their source and intentions with broadcaster Miriama Kamo.

Airana Ngarewa (Ngāti Ruanui, Nga Rauru, Ngāruahine) wrote bestselling novel The Bone Tree and short-story collection Pātea Boys. He won the short story and poetry competitions at the Ronald Hugh Morrieson Literary Awards in 2022 and has been published by RNZ, NZ Herald, Newsroom and Landfall

Michelle Rahurahu
Michelle Rahurahu (Ngaati Rahurahu, Ngaati Tahu-Ngaati Whaoa) has a Masters in Creative Writing from the IIML, where she won the Modern Letters Fiction Prize, and was shortlisted for the Michael Gifkins Prize for Poorhara, her first novel.

Miriama Kamo
Journalist and TV presenter, Miriama Kamo (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga) presented current affairs shows Sunday and Marae. She is also the author of The Stolen Stars of Matariki and co-authored Matariki Around the World: A Cluster of Stars with Professor Rangi Matamua.

At the Heart of it is part of HamLit 2025 – a captivating literary weekend where authors from around the motu come together with local talent to cultivate sparkling conversations and air fresh ideas in the beautiful environs of the Hamilton Gardens.

Book for three or more shows in a single transaction and receive a 15% discount.

Bring a hat, water and sunscreen.