26 January

Over the past few years I've been inspired to see the bigger and bigger crowds in Australian cities out in full support of Invasion Day and Change the Date, and basically not supporting the government trope of nationalistic flag-waving for "aussies, oi, oi, oi". But, living over  in Aotearoa it's also very disheartening to not be able to participate.

But this year was different!

Thanks to Alex Keeble and Julia, who organised for Melissa Lucashenko to drop in to Pataka Art+Museum for some korero about her latest book Too Much Lip  (read it! so good!) and about lots of indigenous issues in Oz and Aotearoa. So great to hear Melissa expanding on her book, reading the intro and for the shared readings from across the Pacific. "Cook gets cooked.."

Thanks Melissa, and safe travels through the South Island! Walawaani.

Here's a pic that the wonderful author Patricia Grace took, with Melissa holding a poster from the long march/hikoi of 2004...

Now it's back to the studio to rehearse a little more for our postphoned Kuki Koori Space Race gig, now on Monday night in the Wellington Botanic Gardens. Fingers crossed that the weather will be fine!