a few NZ adult sff books!
for @thereadingchallengechallenge following an ask from a week or two ago
most of these authors also have other books that I love! I have mentioned specifically their books that are set here (or Aotearoa-inspired fantasy)
From A Shadow Grave by Andi Buchanan (alternate history fantasy based on a real life murder/wellington ghost story)
The Dawnhounds by Sasha Stronach (queer alchemical-biopunk dystopian fantasy)
No Man’s Land by AJ Fitzwater (queer historical fantasy about land girls in WWII)
The Stone Wētā by Octavia Cade (climate fiction novella about an underground network protecting science data in the future)
The Wind City by Rem Wigmore (urban fantasy set in Wellington)
How To Get A Girlfriend When You’re A Terrifying Monster by Marie Cardno (cute sapphic monster romance novella)
Kurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka (nonlinear myth retelling, this is definitely more in the direction of literary fiction tbh)
Butcherbird by Cassie Hart (supernatural horror/suspense, not quite sff enough for my tastes but might be of interest?)
Wake by Elizabeth Knox (similarly more horror/thriller than sff-y; she also has a fantasy called The Absolute Book that I haven’t read yet)
I already mentioned Na Viro by Gina Cole, but since I think it’s adult I’ll mention it again here! it’s a Pasifikafuturist sci-fi/fantasy
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So this morning a staffmate told me about the recent Miami Zoo Kiwi incident that’s come to light, and I’ve been fucking livid all day.
Just been reading through a bunch of articles (majority NZ news sources) and the Zoo’s official statement, and somehow it’s even worse than what my irate coworker was able to convey to me. Miami Zoo had the absolute fucking privilege of receiving a (North Isl. Brown (?)) kiwi egg to hatch and raise as a species you would never normally see outside our little island at the bottom of the world as part of a some global zoo wildlife initiative.
Brief brief summary: viral videos coming out of this kiwi (Paora) being put on a table and patted by paying customers under bright lights, having selfies taken, made to run around during the day, keeper pursuing him whenever he tried to hide in his box. All around blasé attitude from keeper talking about this bird while he’s being paraded about on display. There’s video footage but I could seriously only stomach watching it once. He’s been there for 4 years and in the wake of this outrage they’re claiming to be building him a ‘proper enclosure’ now. He’s been handled like this at least 4 times a week and his current enclosure has been 3x3m.
They had access to super fucking detailed information on how to take care of this very sensitive and specialized animal, and what the fuck do they do? Disregard ALL of it to sell cutesy, ~rare bird~, self-obsessed animal encounters.
Either you knowingly and intentionally went against SO. MUCH. vital animal husbandry or you are just such a fuckwit you legitimately think it was good animal handling, I don’t know which is worse honestly. If it’s the former, congratulations; American Capitalism continues to be the most nasty, disrespectful piece of shit I see regularly parading about in broad daylight. If it’s the latter, then are your staff for real just exotic pet-obsessed freaks who showed up one day in a uniform and you just went ‘yeah sure you can be a zookeeper good enough’. Shoutout to that ‘keeper’ who had Paora’s head pinned to the fucking table with his fist going ‘hohoh yeah he’s just like a dog he loves being pat on the head’ yeah sure thing idiot I bet your zookeeper degree taught you all animals and birds especially just love being slapped around and treated like dogs.
The thing that’s got me the most though, is how over the top and pitiful they are being in their apology; “we’ve offended a nation...”, “it should have never happened”, “we are so sorry this video has caused stress to people”, ok yeah but fuck what we think why is there exactly ZERO mention of the stress, harm and sheer exploitation you have put this animal through??? Like yes, Paora is a taonga species and that is certainly adding to the severity of this response, but in and of itself the fact that their official statement answers ONLY to humans’ responses and outrage and not the failure to care for this animal is telling as fuck to me.
I really liked reading iwi leader Paora Haitana’s response (who Paora the kiwi is named after), in much nicer words than me expressing deep concern over the harm to Paora, the disrespect it is to him as a taonga species and us as protectors of them, and also heavy, heavy emphasis on words holding no shape under the weight of everything that has happened; they need to follow through and follow through right now with adequate care.
Personally I’d like to see Paora moved to a zoo that actually cares about his needs and conservation education over selling clickbait. I feel the love and intention of bringing him home to Aotearoa, though I don’t know how realistic that is with the risk of introducing diseases from abroad into the NZ populations. I also would expect a thorough investigation of Zoo Miami’s husbandry for all their species and the credentials of their staff.
Thanks for coming along to rant o’ clock, I’ll be back to reblogging regular fandom shit now so please don’t follow me if you’re expecting more of my own content lol. Enjoy some great twitter banter from this mess
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Mainline Magazine, winter 2020 issue, "P Freaks" poem contributed by "Suzie".
P Freaks
Brain leaks
Carnage they seek
Then get weak
Coz that's what they seek
Week after week
wank as stupid geeks
They get exactly what they reap
Shame should've taken the back seat
Before getting in too deep
Just get some fucken sleep!
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decided to "be the bigger person" and just report the guy doing the nazi salute + march thru the school hallway to the principal but if he pulls that again i am 110% decking his ass
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