Manifesto Aotearoa:101 Political Poems

Discover the power of poetry in 'Manifesto Aotearoa: 101 Political Poems', a stunning hardback collection published by Otago University Press. This transformative book features explosive new works from renowned New Zealand poets like David Eggleton, Cilla McQueen, and Vincent O'Sullivan, among many others. Each poem serves as a potent reminder of democracy's essence—the freedom of imagination, critical thought, and speech. Suitable for readers passionate about social justice and political activism, these 101 political poems address urgent issues from environmental degradation to systemic poverty, and the enduring impacts of colonialism. The diverse voices represented in this collection, spanning generations and cultures, unite in a powerful call for empathy, action, and accountability. 'Manifesto Aotearoa' isn't just a book for election year—it's a compendium of hope that speaks to New Zealand's aspirations for equality and justice in every political cycle. Embrace the vibrancy of New Zealand's poetry and join the authors in advocating for change with these evocative secular prayers. Ideal for readers seeking inspiration, activists wanting to amplify their message, or anyone interested in the written word's ability to ignite social reform. Stand up, write back, and let your voice be heard through this essential collection of political poetry.

Authors: Philip Temple, Emma Neale Publisher: Otago University Press
Bind: hardback
Dimensions: 150 x 230 mm
Pages: 184
Publication Date: 17-04-2017

Explosive new poems for election year from David Eggleton, Cilla McQueen, Vincent O’Sullivan, Tusiata Avia, Frankie McMillan, Brian Turner, Paula Green, Ian Wedde, Vaughan Rapatahana, Ria Masae, Peter Bland, Louise Wallace, Bernadette Hall, Airini Beautrais and 84 others… A poem is a vote. It chooses freedom of imagination, freedom of critical thought, freedom of speech. A collection of political poems in its very essence argues for the power of the democratic voice. Here New Zealand poets from diverse cultures, young and old, new and seasoned, from the Bay of Islands to Bluff, rally for justice on everything from a degraded environment to systemically embedded poverty; from the long, painful legacy of colonialism to explosive issues of sexual consent. Communally these writers show that political poems can be the most vivid and eloquent calls for empathy, for action and revolution, even for a simple calling to account. American poet Mark Leidner tweeted in mid-2016 that ‘A vote is a prayer with no poetry’. Here, then, are 101 secular prayers to take to the ballot box in an election year. But we think this book will continue to express the nation’s hopes every political cycle: the hope for equality and justice. Two small but potent words. 101 potent poems. Stand up, write back!