Nafanua Purcell Kersel (Aleipata, Faleālupo, Satupa’itea, Tuaefu) is a writer, poet and performer who was born in Samoa and raised in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara. A graduate of Te Pūtahi Tuhi Auaha o Te Ao, IIML she was the recipient of the 2022 IIML Biggs Family Prize in Poetry with her collection, Black Sugarcane. Nafanua is based in Te-Matau-a-Maui where she raises 3 children, many animals and her voice.