Shona-Ellen Barnett lives in Waihi, Hauraki District, and travels across the Bay of Plenty, close to nature and the sea. Her latest poetry book Barefoot on Eggshells was launched on national poetry day, August 2026. She has a lifetime passion for poetry and writing contemporary fiction. She is experienced in supporting writers,with a particular interest in mentoring writers with life challenges. From Scottish and Ngati Raukawa descent, Shona-Ellen was a nationalist finalist in the 2025 Pikihuia Awards (Maori Literature Trust & Huia Publishers). Qualifications include BA in English Lit from Massey University and Dip in Editing from NZIB. Editor of Freelance (magazine supporting writers) for some years. Also a founder of Writers Den based in Hamilton, facilitator of Lines & Lyrics community-based poetry group in Tauranga, and regional coordinator of the NZ Romance Writers Coast to Coast (C2C) central North Island region. 

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