Photograph (above): Robert Cross, 2014

Hinemoana Baker is a published poet, a musician and recording artist, teacher of creative writing and occasional broadcaster. She is currently living in Germany, having just completed 12 months as Creative New Zealand's Berlin Writer in Residence 2016.

Hinemoana's first book of poetry, 'mātuhi | needle', was co-published in New Zealand and the US in 2004. Actor, writer and artist Viggo Mortensen's publishing house Perceval Press co-published the book, which features the paintings of Ngāi Tahu artist Jenny Rendall. Her first album, 'puāwai' (Jayrem Records, 2004) was a finalist for the NZ Music Awards and the APRA Silver Scrolls Māori Language award.

Her second collection of poetry, 'kōiwi kōiwi | bone bone' (Victoria University Press), was launched in Wellington in 2010. She co-edited the anthology 'Kaupapa: New Zealand Poets, World Issues' in 2007, and has released four more CDs of music and poetry. Her most recent collection is 'waha | mouth' (2014, Victoria University Press).

Photograph (below): Leonardo Carta, 2014        Artwork: Sian Torrington, 'Cave 4'

Hinemoana was Arts Queensland Poet in Residence in 2009 and writer in residence with the International Writing Programme at the University of Iowa in 2010. She spent 2014 as writer in residence at the International Institute of Modern Letters, Victoria University. She has appeared at festivals and events in New Zealand and in Australia, Indonesia, Europe and the US. At home in Aotearoa / New Zealand, Hinemoana lives in Wellington.

You'll find her on Twitter and Facebook most days. You can read more about her here, here, here and here. Oh, and by clicking the About tab up the top!