Most people know this South Taranaki district, between Harwera and Whanganui, if they know it at all, for Dalvanius, the Pātea Māori Club and that seminal waiata, Poi E. They know it as a farming heartland or a rural backwater. In this anthology of poems, you will discover that there is so much more.

This anthology includes an impressive array of both experienced poets and tyro. We are most excited by the new voices we have unearthed. Skeptics suggested that we would be "lucky to get twenty pages." Well, we got was over two hundred. There are gems, emeralds, and amethysts contained in these pages. Luxuriate with them! Ki ngā iwi o Pātea me ngā rohe o waho, he mihi nui ki a matou. He mea whakamiharo koe, kua miharo koe, kua koa. Kia whakangahautia ki tēnei pukapuka, nā te mea nau tena! This is your book, enjoy it!

"This original book which recognises the amazing talent we have in Patea, Waitōtara and Waverley is overdue, and I am proud to support it."

Tory Whanau (Pakakohi and Ngaruahine), Mayor of Wellington