"On behalf of all stoners - thank you." - Anon.

e kō, nō hea koe is the debut poetry collection by award-winning slam poet and filmmaker Matariki Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Hinerangi). 

Published by Dead Bird Books, e kō, nō hea koe is “a series of goodbyes and attempts to slow the shedding, it's a group of teenagers sparking up as they watch the great pacific garbage patch catapult into space and become a second moon, it's endless conversations with Grandmama about stars, it is the constant rebirth of whakapapa and learning that silence isn’t the best part of her.” 

Sofia caught up with Matariki about the themes of this body of work and how it came to fruition.

Intimidation of Endless Space Given in a Small Window of Time (approximately 10 minutes) is a new exhibition by graphic designer Lina Grumm and composer Ethan Braun at Artspace Aotearoa. 

The exhibition tends to relationships between sound, space, the visual, and the body, inviting deep listening and limitless interpretation, and engendering a gallery in constant flux. 

Sofia had a kōrero with Kaitohu Director of Artspace Aotearoa, Ruth Buchanan, about the show and the artists.

Alice Canton chats to comedians Evie Orpe and Becky Umbers about their upcoming shows for Comedy Festival. 

Sofia had a kōrero with Matariki Bennett about her debut poetry collection, e kō, nō hea koe, out now via Dead Bird Books

She also caught up w Kaitohu Director of Artspace Aotearoa, Ruth Buchanan, about their latest exhibition, Intimation of Endless Space Given in a Small Window of Time (approximately 10 minutes) by Lina Grumm and Ethan Braun. 

And Beth had a kōrero with Ruby Macomber about Streetside, Auckland Writer’s Festival’s annual fringe event. 

And for Stage Direction this week, Alice Canton joined Sofia in the studio to chat with Evie Orpe and Becky Umbers about Comedy Fest. 

Featuring Steve Newall's chat with McLusky about their new album, Travelling Tunes with Dr Kirsten Zemke, Viewmaster with Litia and Cam's selections From The Crate thanks to our mates at Southbound Records.

Streetside is Auckland Writers Festival’s annual fringe event, taking place tonight in the heart of Britomart to coincide with the festival’s opening night.

It features a range of literary events, with guest appearances from writers.

Beth caught up with director of Streetside for 2025, Ruby Macomber, about the events planned for tonight

True School Hip Hop Show: May 8, 2025