Iona Winter

Category: Aotearoa

  • Ode to You

    I remember when you were young so full of tenderness and wonder a deep chuckle far beyond your years you knew things that we’d forgotten but now an enraged beast resides hacking away beneath the surface of your beautiful skin religiously I bargain with gods grateful when my outstretched hands…

  • The Future Fire

    This week it was awesome to be interviewed by The Future Fire, where we discussed the stunning Pacific Monsters book, my childhood fear of the dark, and a new doorway into the world of PhD’s in Creative Writing. http://press.futurefire.net/2018/02/interview-with-iona-winter.html

  • 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