Iona Winter

Category: Aotearoa

  • Book reviews

    Over the summer break I had the pleasure of reading two fabulous books, First Fox and Waitapu, by a couple of clever wāhine (women) authors from Aotearoa New Zealand. The reviews I wrote, for Landfall Review Online, can be found here: https://www.landfallreview.com/a-plume-of-glass-sparks/#more-3494   (picture taken in Ōtautahi Christchurch, NZ)

  • Weaving

    Whenever I gather harakeke (flax) to weave I notice the interconnection of my hands with Papatūānuku and Rangi-nui. I recall the components that nourish the plant, and always leave three rows of growth, to ensure grandparent, parent and child remain intact. Past, present and future all in one moment, standing together.…

  • thorns

    below  she is a crack in the ocean floor vapours billow forth, surfacing above she is a primordial rose magnificent thorns poised to puncture outside she is a stain from the cat-caught-bird whose enduring feathers survive inside her water-blood-molecules-life shelter a temple of moon-babies and secrets

  • Kauri

    Our ancient Kauri trees are dying. And despite some people’s best efforts to prevent the spread of disease, visitors continue to trample the earth with their dirty boots and make no effort to wipe them before (or after) entering this sacred realm of taonga.  Always leave your shoes at the…

  • Hui Podcast

    It’s the strangest thing hearing myself played back after public speaking. Here’s the podcast link (for anyone who is interested) to my kōrero from the Creative Cities Southern Hui in Ōtepoti Dunedin. I’m No.10 on the list, but the others are well worth a listen too if you have the time. http://www.accessradio.org/ProgrammePage.aspx?PID=7d7bd8c1-7e05-4ff3-a22a-577ed0238fbb…

  • Pacific Monsters

    Here you go folks 🙂 Pacific Monsters is out! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pacific-Monsters-FS-Books/dp/1910462128

  • New Story

    Kia ora WordPress whānau, What an awesome surprise, to see my story ‘Rabid Dogs’ up on Reflex Fiction and #longlisted yesterday! https://www.reflexfiction.com/rabid-dogs-by-iona-winter/ There are a few more goodies of mine (writing-wise) in the pipeline before Kirihimete (Christmas). The Nottingham Peacebuilders Anthology, Pacific Monsters Anthology (Fox Spirit Books), public speaking (eek)…

  • Stones

    how do i ignore the stones that amputated pieces of me my hair morphing from russet to grey deciduous trees unaware of the fall a faceless journey devoid of purpose tarnished thoughts litter landscapes of ashen ground countless stones that i carry rest mottled upon my spine

  • Nottingham Peacebuilders

    I’m humbled to have a new story ‘Split’ included in the Nottingham Peacebuilders Anthology ‘Small Acts of Kindness’. If you’re in the area (sadly I can’t jump on an international flight) check out the launch at Waterstones Nottingham, November 25th. https://www.facebook.com/events/155914378348187/ From one UNESCO City of Literature (Dunedin, New Zealand) to…

  • paper to water

    i stood in the sea until your words blew away paper to water loosened limbs dissolved broken-smile-missing-teeth-shipwreck-me and i watched as your hollow facts became ensnared by the callous tide