14-05-2025
‘There's no book I wish I'd written': Matariki Bennett's favourite poems
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Matariki Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Hinerangi), author of new poetry collection, e kō, nō hea koe; and guest curator at Auckland Writers Festival 2025.
The book I wish I'd written
There's no book I wish I'd written! Instead, here are some of my favourite poems:
Still life of the wind that carries me home to home (as it is today) by Liam Jacobson; The White Swans Are Dancing With Their Eyes Closed, In the Flurry by Joanna Cho; te henga by Isla Huia; Lightning by Khadro Mohamed.
Everyone should read
We're All Made of Lightning by Khadro Mohamed. This has been my favourite book for the past two or three years. I don't enjoy rereading books but I have read and reread We're All Made of Lightning and each time there is something new that swirls in my brain for the next few days. Kei runga noa atu.
The book I want to be buried with
Eulogy (not published) by Jane Holland, and Better The Blood by Michael Bennett. These are books written by my parents; I'd want to be buried with these because my writing isn't just mine, it is an echo of everything that has come before.
The first book I remember reading by myself
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. Dad used to read this to my siblings and I most nights, it is forever a comfort book. One of the earliest novels I recall reading was Owls Do Cry by Janet Frame. I think I read this far too young, and it has really stuck with me.
Fiction or nonfiction
Recently I have been reaching for nonfiction. Two books I've read that have had a huge impact on me have been Hine Toa by Ngāhuia Te Awekōtuku; and Colonising Myths – Māori Realities: He Rukuruku Whakaaro by Ani Mikaere.
Above all else though, I love to read collections of poetry. My favourite collections at the moment are Talia by Isla Huia and People Person by Joanna Cho.
If I could only read three books for the rest of my life they would be
We're All Made of Lightning by Khadro Mohamed; Colonising Myths – Māori Realities: He Rukuruku Whakaaro by Ani Mikaere; and any collection of New Zealand poetry!
Greatest New Zealand book
Small Holes in the Silence by Hone Tuwhare.
Best thing about reading
I love being swallowed into someone else's universe and being able to exist there for a bit.
Best place to read
Before I moved to the seaside, I loved to drive down to the South Coast of Wellington – usually Red Rocks – and I would read and write there, listening to the waves roar and letting the wind rock the car. Now I am lucky to be able to sit by the window in my lounge, and have that same feeling.
What are you reading right now
I have a habit of starting multiple books at once, which makes finishing them very difficult! I am currently reading: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro; The Woven Universe by Māori Marsden; and Time of the Child by Niall Williams.
e kō, nō hea koe by Matariki Bennett ($35, Dead Bird Books) is available to purchase through Unity Books. Matariki Bennett is also a guest-curator at the Auckland Writers Festival which begins this week.
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