Local and international writers debut Hawke’s Bay’s first slam
For the first time in Hawke’s Bay, Motif Poetry presents the high-energy poetry show taking the world by storm. The
Battle of Hastings is the regions first poetry slam, with three rounds of audience-judged, original work from Hawke’s
Bay performers, alongside acclaimed poets Te Kahu Rolleston, Sara Hirsch and local Ben Fagan.
“From fast-paced rap to heart-breaking love poetry (or more puns than recommended) this show will change your opinions
on what poetry can be”
Te Kahu Rolleston (Ngāi Te Rangi) is a spoken word poet, a teacher and University of Waikato alumni. He was awarded the Banff in Canada
residency to participate in the Indigenous Writing Programme, was named the winner of the NZ National Poetry Slam
Competition in 2014.
Sara Hirsch is a London grown poet and spoken word educator. She is a former UK Slam Champion and third ranked in the World Slam
Championships. Sara has performed at Glastonbury, is a TEDx speaker, has featured on the BBC and toured extensively.
Ben Fagan has performed across the UK, USA and NZ, written and performed two poetry shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and
had his first collection ‘Some Traveller’ published in the UK in 2017.
Battle of Hastings - Poetry Slam is part of the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival, 19 October 2018 in Havelock North. Tickets
available now.
ends