Kokako is a highly regarded journal of haiku, tanka, haibun and related genres based in Aotearoa New Zealand. After having been produced in print form for many years, Kokako is transitioning to an online format.

The final print edition of Kokako, Issue 40, was released in April 2024. Here are some poems from that Issue:

kahikatea in the rain —
a weaned calf cries
for its mother

Sandra Simpson

wading
the warm shallows
at slack tide
a hermit crab seeks
my shadow’s shade

Sally Biggar

footprints
criss-cross the sand
family reunion

Celia Hope

Patricia Prime has been a co-editor of Kokako since its inception, with Margaret Beverland having joined her in the role since Issue 17. Together, Pat and Margaret have done a wonderful job building Kokako’s standing in the global haiku community, with the journal regularly drawing contributors and readers from around the world.

However, with Kokako moving online, Pat and Margaret are passing the editorial baton to a new team led by Graham Bates. You can find the new Kokako website here. The site provides submission and publication dates as well as details of the full editorial team.

Here are three more poems from Kokako Issue 40:

learning to swim
on a tidal inlet
christmas ducklings
create pathways
through crimson stamens

Elaine Riddell

black swans —
the esses and cees
of their necks

Owen Bullock

Christmas rain . . .
pohutukawa flowers
turn to rust

Sue Courtney

One excellent feature of the new Kokako website is that past issues of the journal are being added to the site for readers to enjoy free of charge. Issues dating back to 2008 are already available here. Please check out the website and continue to support future issues of Kokako in its online format.

I’ll close with this haiku by Graham Bates from Kokako Issue 40:

bent by the burden
of its own beauty
gladiolus