Kaarina Parker (Ngāpuhi) is well-known in Ensemble circles for her work as a model, writer and academic (she holds an honours degree in English and feminist film theory from Melbourne University, and a masters in creative writing from AUT).

Long fascinated by Roman history, and particularly the “largely uncredited women” of the late Roman Republic, Kaarina’s debut novel Fulvia has just been released (advance copies garnered rave reviews). Last month Kaarina hosted an intimate and divine Roman feast to preview the book to select guests, including Ensemble’s Zoe and Rebecca, contributors Emma Gleason and Saraid de Silva, Jess from Everyday Solitude, Rachel from The Lit List and others.

A work of historical fiction based on real characters, Fulvia was the wife of Clodius, a significant politician during the late Roman Republic era. Told from a feminist perspective, the book imagines the role she would have played in her husband’s career as well as detailing her domestic life of the time.

Proving she’s the ultimate slashie, Kaarina also appears in the campaign for NZ Fashion Week Kahuria 2025, styled by Ensemble contributing editor Dan Ahwa. She’s also about to head to the UK as part of her book’s press tour, including panel talks A Night in the Ancient World in Bath and Femme Fatales at the Forum: Deadly Roman Women and their Legacy at the Forum in London.

She took time for her extremely busy and varied schedule to answer our The Last Time questionnaire. 

When was the last time you cried?

My girlfriend and I went to see Hans Zimmer in Melbourne, and I sobbed the moment the Lion King music started playing. 

When was the last time you danced? What were you dancing to?

In my friend Jade’s living room, shaking ass to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. I was proving a point.

The last time you cooked a meal from scratch, what did you make?

Gochujang glazed rice cakes, with mozzarella and spring onion. It has been my fixation meal for months now.

What was the last thing you bought – and loved?

A pair of long black boots from Merchant 1948. They have a range for wider calves, and I cannot overstate how special it is to be able to walk into a shop and buy a pair of long boots that actually zip up, instead of spending 20 humiliating minutes trying on different pairs that don’t fit while the well-meaning sales assistant hovers awkwardly and says, “they’ll probably stretch?”.

What’s the last piece of clothing you bought?

A red silk chiton. It is a style of dress worn in ancient Greece and Rome, very flowy and drapey, I’ve always wanted one, and publishing a book about ancient Rome seemed like the perfect excuse to buy one. 

What’s the last beauty product you finished?

I just finished a bottle of my absolute favourite perfume, Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka. It’s ridiculously good, a very musky vanilla, quite androgynous. 

When’s the last time you got drunk?

I don’t remember when, but I would almost definitely have been with my friends Jade and Chelsea, and was probably drinking some unholy combination of red wine and vodka.

What was the last really delicious thing you ate? Where was it?

The sugar pie from Depot. It’s cliché for a reason. I dream about that pie. 

The last book you finished, and recommended to someone else?

Babel Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R F Kuang. I absolutely devoured it in one sitting, and haven’t shut up about it since.  

The last album you listened to the whole way through?

The Assassin’s Creed Odyssey soundtrack. The [Assassin’s Creed Odyssey video] game is set in ancient Greece, and I love to listen to the music while I write, it’s very evocative.

The last song you listened to?

Burn Your Village by Kiki Rockwell. It is catchy and visceral and full of feminine rage, I listen to it most days probably.

What was the last concert or show you attended?

Hans Zimmer in Melbourne. It was incredible.

The last TV show you watched?

The Pitt. I love medical dramas, and The Pitt is one of the best I’ve ever seen. 

The last DM/text you sent? Who was it to?

To my friend Rei, who is in my phone as, “Useless Homosexual”. It says: “It’s true what they say, there is nothing more rewarding than motherhood.”

For context, we have been referring to my debut novel as my firstborn, and I’m having a little Book Bath (baby shower) to celebrate with friends and family.  

The last flight you took?

Home from Melbourne, in April. It was quite a bumpy one, and I have a terrible fear of flying, so I spent most of it gripping the seat and trying not to hyperventilate.  

The last time you laughed so much your tummy hurt?

Matariki. My friend Jade hosted a big beautiful banquet, and it was a delicious evening of reflection, wine and screeching laughter. My face hurt the next day from smiling so much.

What’s the last drug you took? 

I actually remembered to take my ADHD medication this morning, so that. It is a delicious irony, that the best way to manage ADHD is to take a pill at the same time every day, and one of the main symptoms of ADHD is not remembering to do things like take pills. 

• Fulvia is available now in Aotearoa and Australia. Click here to purchase your copy.