Established and new voices from around Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour unite in this afternoon of poetry, spoken word, and art at Diamond Harbour's historic Stoddart Cottage. These include poet, writer and Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador, Ben Brown (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki, Ngāti Paoa), poet and playwright Pohlen Newbery (Ngai Tūhoe, Ngāti Manunui), dancer and poet, Jacqueline Coia and synesthetic combinations of spoken word and visual art by Scarlett-Rose Adamson. Ben Brown (Ōhinehou Lyttelton) is a poet, performer, and author born in Motueka and of Waikato-Tainui descent. Brown began writing children’s books in 1992, which includes Ngā Raukura Rima Tekau M ā Rima (2005) that was shortlisted for a Te Kura Pounamu Award. Brown’s memoir A Fish in the Swim of the World (2006) received praise for its evocative treatment of rural New Zealand and Waikato traditions. Brown was awarded the Māori Writer’s Residency at the Michael King Writers' Centre in 2011 and in 2021 was named New Zealand's first Reading Ambassador. Pohlen Newbery (Ōhinehou Lyttelton), is a mother of two of Ngai Tūhoe descent. She grew up in Ōhinehou, “the perfect place to become an accidental poet and playwright”. She has written, directed and performed in a sell out show "Lucky For Some" at the Loons in 2021. She speaks at various poetry events and enjoys immersing herself in the awkwardness of word art. Ōhinehou Lyttelton-born,18-year-old Scarlett-Rose Adamson is an avid writer and artist. When not writing poems in the outhouse in the back of a beautiful green garden, she can be found at The Commoners bar or outside the Coffee Company with a long black. Her art and poetry is heavily influenced by sound through synesthesia. Being fresh to the world of spoken word has pulled her to several open mics throughout Christchurch and back home to The Commoners bar in Lyttleton where she first performed. Jacqueline Coia (Waipapa Diamond Harbour) has been writing poetry as a hobby for over a decade. Initially performing her work at open mic spoken word events, in recent years she has also been exploring poetry within dance performance, the other medium with which she regularly works. This free event is supported by Creative Communities.