1. How would you describe yourself?

Hmm, it’s hard to put into words. I know who I’m not. Sometimes that is easier, I think. I do know who I am more than I ever have, I just don’t know if I could easily describe it to someone. Getting older is the best, I’m learning to get to know myself for who I really am, not who I’ve tried to make myself. It feels good.

2. What does queerness mean to you?

For me, queerness is freedom. It’s freedom from these made up restrictions and boxes we put ourselves in. It’s letting go of control and accepting what comes easy, comes natural to you. It’s ultimately love, unfiltered and unbridled.

3. What are some big misconceptions of slam poetry?

That it is all what you see in 21 Jump Street- haha. Definitely some of it is. But there are these little pockets of it, true slam in the sense of what it originated from (bars in underground Chicago) that are so beautiful. It was created to make poetry more accessible to non-academics, more community-focused. The themes are often political/activism based. When you watch it, you just get it. It can be the most incredible art form, but I think it has changed a lot, into lots of different styles. I guess it’s like judging all music as the same, cos you saw a few styles of musicians you didn’t like.

4. How does your interest in feminist psychology affect your life and work?

I always thought my love for feminist psychology and psychology in general was this thing that was separate to my poetry and my writing. But recently I’ve been blending the two, letting one influence the other and vice versa, and people have been really responding to it online which is so cool. Realising I can talk about this interest of mine and people connect with that and want me to, that’s such a cool realisation. For my life, it’s just what I’m passionate about, and I always have been! Once you start learning about it, it’s pretty hard to stop, with how much it impacts me as a woman especially. Also I just love academia, it’s my true love lol.

5. Where would you recommend someone with an interest in feminist psychology to start?

Read a lot! There is so much good material out there. So many incredible scholars, researchers, scientists, authors and activists. Educate yourself as much as you can, it’s such a privilege to have access to this information, and so important to be aware of. Also, make sure you are reading work from intersectional scholars about true intersectional feminism; it’s more multi-layered and complicated than some people make it out to be (particularly during the 2nd wave).

6. What is Tāmaki Makaurau like as a poet?

So awesome. I love it here. The community is beautiful. The writing is ridiculously good. The people are my good friends, and I look up to them immensely. I love it. I feel very lucky.

7. Is New Zealand doing enough to support our artists, writers, and poets?

HA, of course not, sadly. We need more money.
8. How did you get 50k TikTok followers?

Not letting getting 5 views stop me from continuing to post. It can be pretty demoralising at the start, and still! Just don’t look at the numbers! Just post and then put your phone away and go touch grass lol. That’s what I try to do to stay sane.

9. How did growing up in a church community affect your coming out journey?

It made it pretty rough, but I was lucky to have a family that is amazing and supportive, so I consider myself massively one of the lucky ones. It still made it hard to come to terms with, because I had been taught so many lies about who that made me, which is obviously bullshit. Being told over and over that you’ll suffer and burn in hell for eternity is a pretty good way to make sure you never accept yourself. It made for good art though, and writing Vultures was the best way to process all that. My version of god is very separate from churches now.

10. How does being raised around church affect your poetry?

Hmm, I’m not sure it did, except from the themes I explore, of course.

11. How does it feel that Julia Fox reposted your TikTok? How does it feel being “So Julia”?

I have no words. I love her so much. It doesn’t feel real, she’s mom

12. Best gay bar in Auckland?

None 🙁 They’ve all been ruined.

13. Best Auckland bookstore?

Oooh so many! I love the womens bookstore <3

14. What advice would you have for readers wanting to write and/or publish a book?

It may feel a bit obvious, but definitely just go for it. Write, write, write. Edit, rewrite, and edit some more. Once you have the flesh of your book mapped out, then approach publishers. Listen to people’s advice who have been around longer than you. But also believe in your vision and stay true to your own art. Trust your editor, AND trust your gut. Learn to discern when to listen to which.

15. Tell us a bit about your recent book “Vultures” and where can we find it?

My book Vultures is my baby, it’s my first book. It was published by Dead Bird Books in 2024. Vultures is about womanhood, about dirt and queerness and heartbreak and love and a dark lake at night. It’s about a girl, a god, and a glow in the dark statue of the virgin mary with a busted nose. It’s a gritty celebration of queer love. It’s about religious shame, loss and redemption. A story of girls gone missing at the marsh, and finding themselves at the bottom of it.