Nicole Titihuia Hawkins

Guest writer

Nicole Titihuia Hawkins (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Pāhauwera) is a writer, teacher, red lipstick enthusiast and proud māmā. She lives in Te Awakairangi and runs side hustles with her besties in her spare time. Her collection, Whai, won the Jessie Mackay Prize for best first book of Poetry at the 2022 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

Why are there so few indigenous texts being taught in high schools?
(Image: Archi Banal)?

99 Problems – text choice ain’t one

A response to the apparent shortage of Aotearoa novels being taught in our high schools.

By Nicole Titihuia Hawkins | 25th October, 2023

(Image: Archi Banal)

Witi Ihimaera: An icon and an inspiration

Five writers on the brilliance of Witi Ihimaera, 50 years on from his first novel.

By Nicole Titihuia Hawkins | 10th September, 2023

Photo: Getty Images

The Friday Poem: ‘Nan’s tangi’ by Nicole Titihuia Hawkins

A new poem by the 2022 Jessie Mackay Prize for Poetry recipient.

By Nicole Titihuia Hawkins | 18th November, 2022

Image: Tina Tiller

Finding the kupu: 10 pukapuka to help learn te reo at home

Mai i te kōpae ki te urupa, tātou ako tonu ai. Kia kaha i te reo Māori!

By Nicole Titihuia Hawkins | 13th September, 2022

Visa Wellington on a Plate’s 2019 campaign creative features people having food and drink poured over their heads. (Image: Wellington on a Plate Facebook)

For the love of tikanga, please stop putting food on your head!

This year Nicole Hawkins has decided to opt out of Visa Wellington on Plate over their refusal to engage with people who are offended by their marketing creative.

By Nicole Titihuia Hawkins | 14th August, 2019

Image: Jean-Paul Gaultier, Lester Hall

You can’t copyright culture, but damn I wish you could

Nicole Hawkins questions the motives of non-Māori artists who use Māori stories and bodies in their work.

By Nicole Titihuia Hawkins | 20th March, 2018