Karlo Mila

Who is Karlo Mila?

Karlo Mila is a New Zealand poet. She is of Tongan, Palangi and Samoan heritage, and educated at Massey University in Palmerston North. Her first award was the NZSA Jessie Mackay Award for Best First Book of Poetry at the 2006 Montana New Zealand Book Awards, for Dream Fish Floating. She then went on to contribute to anthologies such as Whetu Moana, Niu Voices, and Short Fuse: The Global Anthology of New Fusion Poetry. She has had her second book published, A Well Written Body, in collaboration with German-born artist Delicia Sampero.

Mila says she has been writing poetry since standard three. Her work has been described as "poetry [that] speaks to the soul". Her creative-style includes many references to her cultural roots including the broader Pacific, political issues, and love. She is also interested in the idea of literary whakapapa, dedicating entire sections to it - "Chanting Back To The Bones" and "Tuakana" - in Dream Fish Floating. Currently, she is completing her PhD in Sociology at Massey University, after being based in Auckland for 10 years.