Matariki Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) is a 21 year old Poet, Script Writer and Director. She is a founding member of the poetry collective Ngā Hinepūkōrero, recipients of the 2021 CNZ Ngā Manu Pīrere award. Matariki’s poetry has been on display at the Caretakers Cottage as part of Auckland Pride 2022, and at Corbans Estate as part of ‘Bodies of Woven Code’. Matariki is the 2023 Wellington Regional Poetry Slam Champion. She is currently writing her first book, a collection of poetry titled, ‘e kō, nō hea koe’ funded by Creative New Zealand.