About the Book

Anne-Marie Te Whiu’s debut poetry collection, Mettle, is a profound exploration of Māori identity, intergenerational resilience, and the complexities of diasporic experience. Structured in six sections—Platinum, Fractured, Malleable, Lustrous, Mercurial, and Reflective—the collection delves into themes of family, cultural displacement, and the enduring strength of whakapapa (ancestral lineage). Te Whiu’s poems confront the legacies of colonisation and the nuances of cultural disconnection, as seen in works like “Blood Brothers” and “Land as Body.” The collection serves as both a personal memoir and a broader commentary on Indigenous resilience, inviting readers to reflect on the interplay between heritage and contemporary identity.

Event Details

When: Friday, 25 July · 6:30 pm – 8 pm
Where: Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE), 8 Victoria Rd, Parramatta NSW 2150