FIKA poems

By Tim Jones

All these poems are read by their creators, members of the Fika writers collective, a group of Pasifka writers hailing from Ōtautahi. These recordings were written and produced as a local complement to the exhibition and curatorial theme of Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania.

Some of the works were written during the lockdown, others were written in response to the exhibition once it opened. All of them embody the ever shifting consciousness of Moana people with diverse cultural ties, politics and reflections.

The copyright in these poems is reserved by their respective creators.

Wayfinding and Wayfinders by Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i

Wayfinding and Wayfinders by Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i

Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i reads her own poem Wayfinding and Wayfinders, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.

Wind the tape back by Danielle O'Halloran

Wind the tape back by Danielle O'Halloran

Danielle O'Halloran reads her own poem, Wind The Tape Back, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

New Brighton by Dietrich Soakai

New Brighton by Dietrich Soakai

Dietrich Soakai reads his own poem New Brighton, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.

Lick by Tusiata Avia

Lick by Tusiata Avia

 Tusiata Avia reads her own poem Lick, written in response to the work of the same name by Angela Tiatia, in the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Aotearoa at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.

I belong to Oceania, like Albert by Danielle O'Halloran

I belong to Oceania, like Albert by Danielle O'Halloran

Danielle O'Halloran reads her own poem, I belong to Oceania, like Albert, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Permaculture by Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i

Permaculture by Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i

Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i reads her own poem Permaculture, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.

Seven Sisters by Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i

Seven Sisters by Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i

Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i reads her own poem Seven Sisters, written in response to the work Sista7 by Lonnie Hutchinson, in the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.

Lanu Moana by Ana Mulipola

Lanu Moana by Ana Mulipola

Ana Mulipola reads her own poem, Lanu Moana, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

E Tuna by Sarah Maindonald

E Tuna by Sarah Maindonald

Sarah Maindonald reads her own poem, E Tuna, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Beauty by Sarah Maindonald

Beauty by Sarah Maindonald

Sarah Maindolnald reads her own poem, Beauty, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.

Sea in a Bottle by Sarah Maindonald

Sea in a Bottle by Sarah Maindonald

Sarah Maindolnald reads her own poem, Sea in a bottle, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Islands in isolation by Jess Marama

Islands in isolation by Jess Marama

Jess Marama reads her own poem, Islands in isolation, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Ko wai koe? by Jess Marama

Ko wai koe? by Jess Marama

Jess Marama reads her own poem, Ko wai koe?, written in response to the exhibition Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū