Acclaimed poet, performer and writer Tusiata Avia MNZM is of Samoan descent, born and raised in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Known for her dynamic performance style, she has travelled the world performing her one-woman poetry show Wild Dogs Under My Skirt, which toured between 2002-2008 in places including Moscow, Jerusalem and Vienna, as well as destinations closer to home, establishing her as a leading New Zealand poet and performer.

Avia is the author of four critically acclaimed collections of poetry Fale Aitu / Spirit House (2016), Bloodclot (2009), Wild Dogs Under My Skirt (2004) and her latest collection The Savage Coloniser Book (2020) has made this year’s New Zealand Book Awards poetry shortlist.

Last year she became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to poetry and the arts and became the Arts Foundations Laureate. 

In 2016 the stage version of Wild Dogs Under my Skirt was relaunched (produced by FCC and directed by Anapela Polata’ivao) as a six woman ensemble show. It won Best Director at 2016 Auckland Theatre Awards and Best Production, Best Actress and Best Lighting at 2018 Wellington Theatre Awards.  It performed in New York last