In April 2021 Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery hosted spoken word poets Ngā Hine Pūkōrero for a five-day residency in association with the exhibition Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art.

Ngā Hine Pūkōrero are Arihia Hall (Te Arawa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Tukorehe), Terina Wichman-Evans (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Te Aupouri), Manaia Tuwhare-Hoani (Ngāti Wai, Ngāpuhi) and Matariki Bennett (Te Arawa). These four wāhine Māori have been winning Grand Slam events across Australasia since 2018. They use the spoken word as a platform to bring attention to important topics and issues in Aotearoa, especially those that affect Māori, intertwining waiata and te reo Māori in their work to express their love for whakapapa and culture. Their poetry is witty, intelligent, profound and hard-hitting.

One of the highlights of their residency was a spoken word showcase featuring Ngā Hine Pūkōrero, Nathan Joe, Samuel Te Kani (Ngāpuhi), Aiwa Pooamorn and Liam Jacobson (Kāi Tahu & Ngāti Kahungunu). Watch these incredible, heart-felt, humorous and honest young voices.

Warning: This content has adult themes and strong language. We recommend viewer discretion.