Simone Kaho (born 1978) is a New Zealand poet of Tongan descent.[1]

Simone Kaho
Born1978 (age 45–46)
Auckland, New Zealand
EducationVictoria University of Wellington
GenrePerformance poetry

Biography

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She was born in Auckland and received an MA in creative writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington.[2]

Her poetry has appeared in various journals including JAAM (Just Another Art Movement), Turbine and The Dominion Post. A performance poet, she has appeared in shows such as The Kerouac Effect and Poetry Live.[2] In 2016, she published a collection of poetry Lucky Punch.[1] The New Zealand Book Council included Lucky Punch on their list of "21 new Kiwi books we can’t wait to read".[3] Her second collection, Heal!, explores the PTSD she developed after an assault and was published in 2022.[4]

Kaho was included in the 20/20 Collection published by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust, her work having been selected by poet Paula Green.[5] In 2022, she was chosen by Creative New Zealand as the 2022 Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence at Victoria University of Wellington, which she used to write non-fiction about identity, the colonisation of New Zealand, and the Pacific diaspora.[6][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Simone Kaho". The Spinoff.
  2. ^ a b "Simone Kaho". Poetry Foundation.
  3. ^ "21 new Kiwi books we can't wait to read!". New Zealand Book Council.
  4. ^ a b "Simone Kaho's healing poetry". RNZ. 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  5. ^ "The 20/20 Collection". New Zealand Book Awards Trust.
  6. ^ "Simone Kaho named as 2022 Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence at Te Herenga Waka". Victoria University of Wellington. Retrieved 2024-01-17.