Te Kahu Rolleston, Ngai Te Rangi-born Wordsmith/Jester
Te Kahu Rolleston is spoken word poet, mental health worker and educator from the tribe of Ngaiterangi in Tauranga. He has been called ‘The Taniwha of Poetry’. His work often honours his ancestors, the land, and the ongoing Māori struggles for Tino Rangatiratanga. His poetry speaks to what it means to be Māori, combining mythology, history and modern politics. Te Kahu was the 2014 winner of The National Slam Poetry Competition. In 2015 Te Kahu was invited to attend The Banff Centre’s Indigenous Writing Programme alongside Witi Ihimaera. He won the world pacific poetry slam at Festpac 2016. Te Kahu is extremely passionate about the power of words, and the actions they can trigger.