Press
Press release · 2026
Auckland poet Kate Pitches launches her collection Every Snake Sheds Its Skin
“What makes a life so full that we are not afraid of death?
Maybe we only fear death when we’re not truly living.”
Debut Auckland author, poet, actress and yoga teacher Kate Pitches tackles the gritty questions. She launched her poetry collection Every Snake Sheds Its Skin on Tuesday 13 October at The Button Factory, 2 Abbey Street, Auckland. The launch fell during Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 October).
The evening opened with a set by Carl o Yāng, an alternative indie artist from Marlborough. Carl describes his music as "a sanctuary of reflection." His music showcases a range of heartfelt songs, written around his own journey through mental health and healing.
The night continued with a reading, choosing a few poems from each chapter. Kate spoke about her journey being diagnosed with BPD and the road to recovery. For her, writing and poetry are a way to make sense of difficult times, including a breakup and the challenges of navigating her early 20s.
The night ended with some snacks and an open mic, where four or five people in the audience shared their own poems.
The collection follows a snake's shed in four stages: Dulling, Blue, Shed and Prime. Illustrations by Elle Nusbaum of Flow Connection Creative Arts and by Katie Addison Saipe. In Kate's words from the foreword: "The four stages of a snake's shedding symbolise the four stages of growth we go through."
"Every Snake Sheds Its Skin is a raw and honest collection written during a period of deep personal challenge. Kate explores what it means to heal, endure, and to remake oneself in a world that rarely slows down. Through the shifting terrain of a mental-health journey, these poems offer reflection, courage and the possibility of renewal."
From the foreword: "I hope you can gain something from these pieces, no matter your season."
Where to get it
The paperback is NZ$25 from her website, www.katealigns.com, until Friday 30th October.
The ebook is out now on her website: NZ$14.99, sold worldwide, as EPUB, Kindle and PDF.
ISBN 978-0-473-79382-1 (paperback).
About Kate Pitches
"Kate Pitches is an author, poet, actress, yoga teacher and biomedical honours graduate based in Auckland, New Zealand. Her work brings a frank and thoughtful perspective to healing, meaning, and the complexities of being human in the modern world."
Media contact
Through her website's contact page, www.katealigns.com/contact, or on Instagram at @katealigns and @sacredshedding.
Photos
Photos from the launch:
Signing copies at the book table;
Launch night ready with Kate and Carl o Yāng performing behind her;
Kate reading on stage; the books on the table;
Photo credit: Elle Nusbaum, Flow Connection Creative Arts.
On Instagram
Author Kate Pitches @katealigns and @sacredshedding
Illustrator Elle Nusbaum @flowconnection.nz
Illustrator Katie Addison Saipe @withlovefromhaven__
Musician Carl o Yāng @carl_o_yang
Press photos
From the launch night, for press use with the credit: Elle Nusbaum, Flow Connection Creative Arts. Tap a photo for the full-size file; larger originals on request.
The book at a glance
- Title
- Every Snake Sheds Its Skin
- Author
- Kate Pitches
- Format
- Paperback and ebook, poetry
- ISBN
- 978-0-473-79382-1
- Price
- Paperback NZ$29 (NZ$25 launch price until Friday 30 October) · ebook NZ$14.99
- Illustrations
- Elle Nusbaum (Flow Connection Creative Arts) and Katie Addison Saipe
- Launched
- Tuesday 13 October 2026, The Button Factory, Auckland
Media enquiries
Through the contact page, or on Instagram at @katealigns and @sacredshedding.