‘He Kōtuku Rereka Tahi’ evokes a glimpse of the rare white heron in flight, and it’s used to describe someone of great mana who is rarely seen. 

Keri Hulme’s the bone people is one of New Zealand’s most famous and influential books. In her poetry and short fiction, too, the strange music of her work has captivated readers worldwide and inspired a generation of wordsmiths at home.

Pour yourself a dram and settle in as our guests share a passage from Keri’s work that has moved them, then respond with a specially commissioned piece of their own.

With Stacey Morrison as your host, be transported by Whiti Hereaka, Tina Makareti and Ariana Tikao live on stage, and Patricia Grace and Marian Evans via video link.

We welcome representatives of Keri’s whānau, Matt Salmons and Anna Hulme, to read some of Keri’s early unpublished work. And you can glimpse her life through some of her favourite songs, performed live. Bring your copy of the bone people. Not to be missed.