Writer and theatre-maker Jo Randerson ONZM (Pākehā; they/them) is recognised as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most original voices. Their writing is dark, funny, poetic and absurd, and frequently peopled with subversive characters. Jo’s published works include short-story collections The Spit Children, Tales from The Netherworld, The Keys to Hell, the poetry volume The Wind Is Up and We’re On, and several plays. These include Fold, The Lead Wait, and The Unforgiven Harvest, which are performed frequently in schools and professional theatres. Their writing has won them the Robert Burns Fellowship, an Arts Foundation New Generation Award, and the Bruce Mason Award for playwrighting. Jo is a popular public speaker and progressive thinker about the arts’ relevance in society and the way artists structure their careers. They are part of a community group who have re-purposed a disused bowling club in Vogelmorn, Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington, as a creative community space.