Collection: essa may ranapiri

Author photo: Kelly Joseph (Ngāti Maniapoto)

essa may ranapiri (Ngaati Raukawa, Ngaati Maniapoto, Te Arawa, Ngaati Awa, Ngaai Tai, takataapui, Clan Gunn) is a poet based on Ngaati Wairere whenua. Their books include ransack (2019) and ECHIDNA (2022), both longlisted for the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

In 2023 they received the Janet Frame Poetry Award and the inaugural Keri Hulme Award, and in 2026 they were the Randell Cottage Fellow. They co-edit Kupu Toi Takataapui and were the featured writer in Poetry New Zealand Yearbook 2020. They love language, LAND BACK and hot chips. They will write until they’re dead.