Calendar of Events
Welcome to the 2024 Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day
Calendar of Events!
Mark your calendars for National Poetry Day on Friday 23 August. This year, we're bringing you an extraordinary celebration of poetry across Aotearoa. In late August, poetry will be everywhere - on buses, written on pavements, displayed on projected screens and even emerging from typewriters. From intimate readings and vibrant open-mic nights to engaging workshops and lively performances, there is something for everyone.
Whether you're a seasoned poet or a curious newcomer, our diverse lineup promises to inspire, entertain, and ignite your passion for the written word.
Explore the schedule below to discover ways to unleash the power of poetry in your region!
Quick Menu: Regions
International | Nationwide | Northland | Auckland Region | Waikato | Bay of Plenty | Hawke’s Bay | Whanganui | Wellington/Kapiti Coast | Canterbury | West Coast | Otago
INTERNATIONAL
Red Room Poetry – A Workshop with Grace Yee
Presented in partnership with Australia’s Poetry Month, Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day is excited to announce a special workshop with Grace Yee, winner of the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
This interactive workshop will explore characterisation and voice, scene-setting and polyphony in poetry, and attendees will get the most value if you have a narrative in mind such as a rough story sketch, characters and setting to work with in the workshop. Suitable for all experience levels.
Entry: Koha
Date/Times: Thursday 22 August, 7 – 8.30pm NZ time
Location: Online via Zoom
Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/poetry-month-workshop-grace-yee
Further Info: https://redroompoetry.org/events/grace-yee-workshop/
Berlin Aotearoa NZ Phantom National Poetry Day 2024
Come ye! Come ye! Come celebrate Phantom Billstickers Aotearoa New Zealand National Poetry Day! Yes, ye!
A former Aucklander, the Monkey Records founder and musician/producer Nigel Braddock shall tinkle Z-Bar's grand piano keys with delectable compositions.
Dunedin-born & raised now-bionic export Sandra Sarala dishes up poetry from herself and some of Aotearoa New Zealand's finest. Born in numerous places, in the evening's Open Mic spots you too shall take the stage to share and declare favourite poems (and songs!) from the land of the long white cloud and of course, your good selves. And hark! By tradition, rumours of biscuits...
Entry: Koha
Date/Times: Friday 23 August. Door: 20:00 | Start: 20:30 | End: ca 23:00
Location: Z-Bar Berlin, Bergstraße 2, 10115 Berlin-Mitte
Contact: Sandra Sarala sandrasarala@yahoo.com
Further Info: https://www.facebook.com/share/BkdWPgtuPtRbzeLZ/
Kalokalo by Arieta Tegeilolo Talanoa Tora Rika virtual launch
Studio Kiin are excited to share that we have started Rarama Ink, an independent publishing press with the support of our generous Boosted x Moana donors, The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi and Creative New Zealand.
To celebrate National Poetry Day, join us on the 23rd of August to launch our debut publication - Kalokalo by Arieta Tegeilolo Talanoa Tora Rika - with conversation facilitated by Emele Ugavule and readings from guest poets.
Kalokalo, meaning stars in Vosa vakaViti, is Arieta Rika's first published collection of poems, spanning themes of motherhood, romance, friendship, grief, anger, healing, love. Published by Rarama Ink in collaboration with 5ever Books, edited by Emele Ugavule and Losalini Tuwere (Vosa vakaViti), and designed by Elsie Andrewes, Kalokalo takes readers on a journey through the galaxies of human emotion.Dedicated to her children, and an ode to her paternal island home of Fiji, Kalokalo is an intimate insight into the whispers of a mother to her child, a daughter to her father, reflections between sisters, lovers, enemies and friends.
When: 23rd August, 7 - 8.30pm
Where: Online
RSVP Online via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/virtual-book-launch-kalokalo-by-arieta-tegeilolo-talanoa-tora-rika
Contact: Emele Ugavule, info@studiokiin.co
Poetry While You Wait
See International poet Raewyn Alexander worldwide on Facebook or email raewynalexandergood@gmail.com
Order your own original poem any subject, for anyone. Forty years now I've written countless poems for great people like you. Lovely, funny, serious, insightful, and...? What style poem and content for you? Lyric, rhyming, acrostic, haiku, narrative poem, or...?
Entry Details: Free. Ask me for any genre of poem (except a saga), for anyone, about anything!
Date/Times: Friday 23 August 2024, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm En Zed time all online. Always lovely to hear from you. Use Facebook, in writing or on a video call, or email me, do. What original, great poem will be yours and who for? Such an amazing gift.
Location: Facebook and email – worldwide and countrywide
Contact: Raewyn Alexander on Facebook or at raewynaleandergood@gmail.com
Further Info: https://www.read-nz.org/writers-files/writer/alexander-raewyn |
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1170147987600263
NATIONWIDE
The Poetrybrick
Each year, poet David Merritt meticulously hand-stamps a few hundred banana box book covers and glues an A3-sized poem, folded up, inside each one. This year he will assembles 23 different poems, referred to as "bricks," and includes curator notes in each box. These #poetrybricks will then sent to 18 different locations around the country, where anyone can read the poems at their own leisure, free of charge.
Locations on 23 August
- Hanger Gallery Whangarei
- The Open Book Ponsonby Auckland
- Auckland Public Library St Heliers Branch
- Rotorua Public Library
- Raw Balance Cafe Turangi
- 88 Putiki Cafe Whanganui
- Firebird Cafe Foxton
- Public Library Featherson
- National Library Wellington
- Blacks Coffee, Newtown Wellington
- Public Library Motueka
- Lyttelton Coffee Company ChCh
- Hokitika Public Library
- Grain Store Gallery Oamaru
- Side On Cafe Dunedin
- Maggie Cafe Dunedin
- Five Larries Bookshop, Laurence Otago
- Waste busters Wanaka Otago
Contact: David Merritt - lrfpress@gmail.com
Further Info: https://instagram.com/dm807169/ https://instagram.com/poetrybrick/
#poetry_brick_NPD24
NORTHLAND
Fast Fibres Poetry 11 Book Launch
Celebrate eleven years of poetry with the launch of Fast Fibres Poetry 11, Northland’s very own poetry anthology. Be enthralled for a few hours with diverse and interesting new poetry from some of our best poets including Alice Fairley, Christel Jeffs, Olivia Macassey, June Pitman, Jackson, Shelly Arlidge, John Geraets, Piet Nieuwland and many other talented language-artists.
Entry Details: Free. All ages
Date/Times: Thursday 22 August 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm
Location: ONEONESIX, 116 Bank Street, Whangarei
Contact: Piet Nieuwland, 0274805548, pietn@outlook.com
Further Info: www.fastfibres.wordpress.com
Be Published
We are running a poetry event where children write a poem based on a theme for their age group and can then be published in a book that we will produce. Last year we made it a competition, this year, we will be making it participation and all poems will be published.
Entry Details: Starts July 21st - ends 23rd August (poems are due this day). The book will be put together afterwards and presented to all published authors.
Location: Tauraroa Area School
Contact: Andrea Cameron, andrea.cameron@tauraroa.school.nz
AUCKLAND REGION
Books on the Bus NZ Poetry Book Drop
To celebrate Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day on 23 August 2024, poetry will be riding the bus, the ferry and the trains. Books on the Bus NZ will be doing a themed poetry book drop. Find poetry books by New Zealand and international poets around transport hubs -- bus stops, ferry terminals and train stations as well as on buses and trains.
Remember:
TAKE - If you find a book take it with you.
READ – Take your time, take in the words. Read it from home or in transit.
LEAVE the books for others to enjoy once you’re done. Return it to any train, bus, ferry, bus stop or train station in New Zealand.
Visit our Facebook Event to find out what poetry books are hiding in plain sight in our public transport system.
Entry Details: FREE, Open to all
Location: Auckland Region
Contact: Jade-Ceres Munoz, violetdolor@gmail.com
Further Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/972927604319223
North Auckland
Poetry at the Pub - Waiwera
Poetry reading (your own or someone else’s), poetry fun and random prizes. Coffee, wine, meals and bar food all available. All welcome.
Entry Details: Koha towards expenses appreciated. Please contact Diane if you would like to present a poem.
Date/Times: Thursday August 22nd 2024 - 7.15 pm - 9.15 pm
Location: Sugar Loaf Bar 38 Waiwera Road, Waiwera
Contact: Diane Newcombe dianenewcombe@hotmail.com, Ph: 021 483849
Further Info: Facebook Event – to be advised
North Shore
National Poetry Day Workshop for Teens
International slam champion Ash Raymond James invites you to a workshop designed to push beyond preconceived notions of poetry. This workshop will guide you on a journey of uninhibited expression. Learn to write freely, without fear or limitations. Discover how to break free from anything holding you back and unlock your full potential. Whether you're crafting poems for the page or the stage, Ash will give you a fresh perspective on poetry and empower you to write with newfound confidence.
Entry Details: RSVP to Ash Raymond James, ashraymondjames@gmail.com
Cost: Free, limited spaces
Date/Times: August 14th 2024, 4.00 - 5.30 pm
Location: Shore Junction, 19 Northcote Road, Takapuna
Contact: Ash Raymond James, ashraymondjames@gmail.com, @ashraymondjames
Further Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-poetry-day-workshop-for-teens-by-yellow-lamp-poetry-tickets-951187877547
Shore Words
Join Poetry Society winner and editor, Stu Bagby, along with poet and author, Bryan Walpert; writer and publisher, Bronwyn Lloyd, and Siobhan Harvey, poetry award winner whose work appears in Best New Zealand Poems.
RSVP: Please reserve a seat via the libraries’ website, ring 09 890 4900, or email takapunaevents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Koha appreciated
Date/Times: Thursday 15 August, 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Light refreshments served on arrival
Location: Takapuna Library, 1 The Strand, Takapuna, Auckland 0740
Contact: Jenny Cole, jen.cole@btinternet.com
Further Info: https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/news-and-blogs.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/TakapunaLibrary/
Central Auckland
All Tomorrow's Poets
All Tomorrow's Poets is back for its 10th year with an electrifying line-up of poets! We warmly welcome you back to one of our most celebrated events of the year, featuring snacks, an abundance of talent from Tāmaki Makaurau and a zine to commemorate our special anniversary. Stay tuned for a line-up announcement.
Entry Details: Koha will be distributed to the poets. BYO drinks.
Date/Times: Friday 23rd August, 6pm
Location: Upstairs at Time Out Bookstore, 432 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland.
Contact: Suri Reddy & Jenna Todd, books@timeout.co.nz
Further Info: https://www.timeout.co.nz/upcoming-events/atp2024
AUT: Celebrating National Poetry Day
AUT staff, alumni and students gather to celebrate National Poetry Day with a communal reading of poems, and an open mic where any attendee can read a poem. Bring a poem along, read at the open mic and/or join us for a celebration of New Zealand poems and poetry.
Entry Details: Free entry. To attend, RSVP to: siobhan.harvey@aut.ac.nz
Date/Times: Thursday 22nd August 2024, 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm
Location: WH314: 3rd Floor, WH Block, AUT City Campus, AUT, Wellesley Street, Auckland
Contact: Siobhan Harvey, siobhan.harvey@aut.ac.nz
Further Info: Facebook Event
Black Out Poetry at The Open Book
Come celebrate Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day in a cozy bookstore! Try your hand at black out poetry anytime between 10am and 5pm throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday - we provide the materials, you provide the creativity! Fun for the whole family, and perfect for anyone who wants to write poetry but doesn’t know where to begin. Come craft some verses in our Ponsonby villa bookstore where the tea is flowing and the books are abundant.
No entry fee or booking required
Date/Times: Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Location: The Open Book, 201 Ponsonby Road, Auckland
Further Info: https://theopenbook.co.nz/events
Chalk Poetry in Albert Park
Come along and spread some colour and poetry around the band rotunda in Albert Park with sidewalk Chalk Poetry. Share some of your own original work or chalk up the ground with a favourite piece. Some chalk will be provided (but feel free to bring more!).
Event details: Free. Open to all ages.
Day/Time: 23 August, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm (weather permitting)
Location: Band Rotunda, Albert Park, 33-43 Princes Street, Auckland CBD
Contact: Sophie Procter spnz.writer@gmail.com
Further info: @sp_thepoet
Typewriter Poetry with SP the Poet
Visit me (SP the Poet) and my typewriter at Auckland Central Library and get an original piece of poetry created and typed for you on the spot for free!
Event details: Free. Open to all ages.
Day/Time: 23 August, 1.30 pm - 4.00 pm
Location: Central City Library, 44/46 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD
Contact: Sophie Procter spnz.writer@gmail.com
Further info: @sp_thepoet
Great Grey Lynn Poetry & Pizza Congress 2024
Back for 2024 by popular demand, an enjoyable evening in the much-loved Grey Lynn Library, with performance poetry award-winner Tim Heath and the Monday Poets. Bring friends, hear poetry and eat pizza – all free. Event sponsored by Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day and Hell Pizza Grey Lynn, with thanks to the Ockham Collective for regular meeting space. Please book at our Eventfinda page, https://tinyurl.com/yvnwu3ra
Entry Details: Free. All welcome
Date/Time: Thursday 22 August, 6.00 pm
Location: Grey Lynn Library, 474 Great North Rd, Auckland 1021
Contact: claire.gummer@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Further Info: https://tinyurl.com/yvnwu3ra, www.facebook.com/GreyLynnLibrary
Orare
Joined by special guest: Vikae. Genevieve McClean has for years explored different poetic forms. After a hiatus regarding poetry, Genevieve offers an intimate and theatrical evening in which she sings and shares poetic works that draw on voices of the past for inspiration. She is also a singer (MINK) and an actor (Toy Love, Kombi-Nation, Der Liebe Entgegen), and a director & writer and inter-disciplinary artist (Stasis, These four Walls, The Girls, Flock, The Third Order), and she has toured America as a spoken word artist and performed in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The event will be recorded.
Entry Details: $16 / $18 ($20 if door sales available)
Date/Times: 23rd August 9 pm – 10.30 pm
Location: Symonds Court, 206 Symonds Street, Auckland
Contact: mccleangenevieve@gmail.com
Further Info: Facebook Eventpage | Tickets from Under the Radar
https://www.facebook.com/events/2576781819189796/?active_tab=discussion
https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/tour/25373/Orare--Genevieve-McClean.utr
Projection Poetry by Yellow Lamp Poetry and Oh No! Poetry
You are warmly invited to spend the evening of National Poetry Day basking in the glow of Projection Poetry. Wander through the projected poetry, perform at the open mic, dress warm and enjoy a hot drink with other poets from Tamaki Makaurau and beyond. Submit your poetry by 16th August 2024 for your work to be considered in the projection show. More details below.
Entry Details: Submit your poetry of no more than 20 lines to ashraymondjames@gmail.com by 19th August 2024 for your work to be considered. Max 3 poetry submissions per poet.
Cost: Free!
Date/Times: Friday 23 August, 6.00 - 9.00 pm
Location: Strand Arcade, 227 Queen Street, CBD, Auckland
Contact: Ash Raymond James, ashraymondjames@gmail.com, @ashraymondjames
Further Info: https://fb.me/e/25fdpIkTD
POETRY – ART – MUSIC. Performance and Installation that explores new forms of storytelling. Micromegas is stories that touch on topics big to perceive or too small to see with the naked eye. An interactive and immersive experiences that steps outside of the common narrative and into new perspectives that opens up new doors of perception and understanding. Taking inspiration from arts and crafts we invite the audience to participate and interact with the installation. Bring your poem to create cardboard objects and pick up a piece of chalk to create with the original nz guerilla chalkster, or add to the poetry scroll. Curated by Christian Jensen and Shane Hollands the installation will include work by Rachael Naomi, Rosina, Daniel Larsen-Barr and music by Gerhard Lottermoser and Matt Reece along with the growing collective of Wayfinders.
Entry Details: FREE, open to all ages
Date/Times: Friday 23 August, 5.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Location: Silo 6, Silo Park, Beaumont Street &, Jellicoe Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Contact: Christian Jensen, christian@docedge.nz
Further Info: https://www.facebook.com/share/SyTr8k6gxJcqYphL/
Homeground Poets Poetry Night
Join the S.P.A.C.E poets on National Poetry Day for a night of poetry. The S.P.A.C.E poets have been getting together every Friday at Homeground for the last 3 years creating work about their lives, loves and favourite animals. It's free and there will be kai provided. So don't waste this glorious day of poetry staring at the TV or yelling at the sun and come and be wowed by some of the best poets in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Entry Details: This is a free event
Date/Times: Friday 23 August, 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Location: Leys Institute Little Library, 14 Jervois Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Contact: Dominic Hoey, tourettes.one@gmail.com
Poetry and Psychoanalysis on: "A ROOM OF ONE'S OWN"
The New Zealand Institute of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (NZIPP) is participating in National Poetry Day with the 5th Poetry Competition and Event on Poetry and Psychoanalysis. The theme will be based on Virginia Woolf’s quote: “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction”.
Psychoanalysis deals with unconscious, preconscious and conscious processes. Poetry deals with the art of creating poems. Both psychoanalysis and poetry appear to be driven by a sort of unknown matrix towards using words to communicate something about oneself, an inner truth, a hidden reality, a memory, something unknown, a feeling, a thought, a moment of beauty, a traumatic event, …
Up to 3 poems can be sent by 18th August 2024 to: NZIPPandPoetry@gmail.com
Winners of the competition will be announced at the event organised by NZIPP.
All participants are invited to attend and to present the poems submitted to the competition.
Poems will be published on NZIPP Website http://www.psychotherapy.co.nz/ and social media
Entry Details: $ 20, students $ 10 Please register before 20th August on: https://events.humanitix.com/poetry-and-psychoanalysis-a-room-of-one-s-own
Date/Times: Friday 23 August 2024 at 7 - 9:30 pm
Location: Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd, Parnell, Auckland
Contact: Dr Gloriana Bartoli gloriana.bartoli@gmail.com
Further Info: http://www.psychotherapy.co.nz/
Poetry on the Pavement
Calling all Waiheke Poets! Celebrate National Poetry Day by sharing your poetry with the community. Meet with your fellow poets at Waiheke Adult Learning then walk through Oneroa chalking poems on the pavement. Bring a poem to share – we will supply the chalk! After the chalking, a reading by guest poets, Mitch Chote, Tracey Sullivan and friends will be held at the Waiheke library.
Entry Details: This is a free event open to all ages, but registration is required
Date/Times: Friday 23 August, 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Location: Waiheke Adult Learning, 2 Kororā Rd, Oneroa, Waiheke Island
Contact: Waiheke Adult Learning, office@wal.org.nz
Further Info: https://www.wal.org.nz/courses/poetry-on-the-pavement/
West Auckland
Kids Poetry Day
Come along for a fun morning of poetry performances, poetry activities, and poem art and craft.
Writers Elena de Roo (Ring Ting Tūī), Kathryn Dove, Annelies Judson and Melinda Szymanik (Lucy and the Dark) will present a selection of their poetry for kids. They will be joined by students from local schools presenting their own poetry. Between readings there will be a chance to write your own poetry, contribute to a collaborative poem, illustrate poems, create blackout poetry, and more!
The activities are aimed at 5-12 year olds but the whole family is welcome.
Entry Details: Free Entry. All ages, but aimed at 5-12 year olds
Day/Time: Saturday 24th August, 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Location: Te Atatū Peninsula Library and Community Centre, 595 Te Atatū Road, Te Atatū Peninsula, Auckland 0610 (parking off Pringle Road)
Contact: Annelies Judson, annelies.judson.writer@gmail.com
Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/share/sfshwALfnR76kgbC/
South Auckland
Glenbrook School Poetry Week
Glenbrook School will be celebrating poetry and poets from August 12th - 23rd.
They invite students, parents and families to create and share their poetry. Poems can be presented in writing, a recorded performance, using technology or as an art piece. Be as creative and as inventive as you can.
This year has a focus on Slam Poetry and look forward to students sharing their creations!
Please email your poetry to Ms Stuart stuartl@glenbrook.school.nz
WAIKATO
Hamilton
Poetry Celebration – Hamilton Book Month
Come and join Poet Laureate Chris Tse in our Poetry Celebration. He'll read his work and launch Tracey Slaughter's new poetry collection The Girls in the Red House Are Singing and you'll hear from our invited local poets.
Entry Details: Free event, open to all with no need to register. Light refreshments served. Cash bar.
Date/Times: Friday 16 August, 6.30 pm - 8.00 pm
Location: Te Whare Tāpere Iti, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Waikato University. Enter via Gate 2B off Knighton Road, Hamilton, with the Academy a two-minute walk around the campus lake. At this time of day, car parking on campus is free and no ticket is required.
Contact: Catherine Wallace, hamiltonbookmonth@gmail.com
Further Info: https://www.hamiltonbookmonth.com/poetry-celebration
Raglan
Poetic Pleasure with Rata Gordon
This poetry writing workshop conducted by Rata Gordon will explore the ways that writing poetry can bring us into a world of rich sensory engagement and pleasure. We will experiment with the ways that writing itself can be a pleasurable act, and explore the theme of 'finding our pleasure' through reading and writing poetry. Entry by koha (suggested amount $15).
Rata Gordon is a poet, Open Floor movement teacher, Registered Arts Therapist and creative mentor. Rata's poems have been published widely, and their book Second Person was published in 2020 by Te Herenga Waka University Press. Rata has over a decade's experience of facilitating group spaces that are both settling for the nervous system and creatively inspiring. www.ratagordon.com
Date/Times: Saturday August 17th - 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
Contact: Ann Neville annlneville@gmail.com
Further Info: Raglan Old School Arts Centre, 5 Stewart Street, Raglan
https://www.raglanartscentre.co.nz/
Don’t miss this exciting workshop about word building with Tina Shaw. Having a wide vocabulary gives you more than just the smugness that comes from knowing “aglet” is the name for the tiny piece of plastic at the end of a shoelace. It’s about finding the right word — the one special word in a sentence — that will transmit an image or feeling directly into the reader’s mind. Entry by koha (suggested amount $15).
Tina Shaw is a New Zealand novelist who writes for adults, teenagers, and children. Her many publications are listed on her website https://www.tinashaw.co.nz/ Over the years, Tina has received fellowships because of her writing e.g. Buddle Findlay Sargesonmonty Fellowship, Auckland during 1999, the Creative New Zealand Berlin Writers’ Residency (2000-01), and the University of Waikato Writer-In-Residence in 2005. She lives in Taupo with my partner and our dog Monty.
Date/Time: Sunday August 18th – 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Contact: Ann Neville, annlneville@gmail.com
Further Info: Raglan Old School Arts Centre, 5 Stewart Street, Raglan
https://www.raglanartscentre.co.nz/
BAY OF PLENTY
Katikati
Having Fun with Poetry
Since the conception of National Poetry Day, Katikati dance teacher/writer Gaye Hemsley has organised a selection of events to celebrate the occasion. This year she will be visiting a local retirement home putting a smile on residents faces by reading some humorous poems.
At 11.30 am, lovers of poetry are invited to The Arts Junction to listen or read a poem. Different forms of poetry will be discussed.
Daffodil Day is on the 30th of August. A donation to the Cancer Society is appreciated.
Date/Time: 11:30 am, 23rd August
Location: The Arts Junction, 36 Main Rd, Katikati
Contact: gayehemsley@gmail.com Ph 0272748753
Tauranga
Cringefest
Think you've heard the worst poetry of your life? Think again!! Cringefest launched at Fringe in March and had queues lined out the door and down the street.
Now our poets are back and are worse than ever. Can Sam Allen hold his title as the Cringey-est poet in the Bay, or are have other hilariously terrible, cringe-worthy poets been lured out to topple his reign?
Get along to the Village Cinema and lend your jeers, groans and laughter to help decide who has the worst poem of 2024.
The rules are simple - each poet has two minutes to do their damnedest. The worst six poets go through to the next round where they have another two minutes to make the audience wish they'd never left the comfort of their couch.
The third and final round sees the three most awful poets battle it out for the coveted title of Cringefest winner, 2024.
When: Friday 23 August
Where: Village Community Cinema, Tauranga Historic Village, 159 17th Avenue, Tauranga
Doors open at 6.30, event starts at 7.00 pm. R18 event. Bar on site
Book today as tickets won't last. Just $10
Kupu Waiata, Singing Word
There's a lunchtime open-mic jam session from 12-2.30pm, with Lee Murray until one, then John Baxter, Jenny Argante, Meesh, Fi Be, Sam and others. All very erudite and entertaining. You're welcome to bring your own poetry and take part.
Then Fi's doing a workshop from three to four which you can join for a bit of fun. Register with the library please so we can cater for the numbers. Bring a pen and your favourite notebook or we've paper if you prefer. It's all about writing and performance.
In the evening from 5.30, the library are hosting with drinks and nibbles and there'll be music and poetry too. Until 7pm. You have to register to come as alcohol will be served.
Entry Details: All Free
Date/Times: Friday 23rd August. Noon to 2.30 pm | 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm | 5.30 pm to 7.00 pm
Location: Tauranga Central Libaray. Devonport Rd. Tauranga
Contact: Fi Be Sullivan; fionasullivan5@gmail.com
Further Info: Tauranga Library web site and facebook. Fi Be Sullivan facebook and Tauranga writers
HAWKE'S BAY
Haiku Hawkes Bay
This National Poetry Day Cafes around Hawke's Bay are bringing the art and joy of haiku to coffee lovers where they sip. Haiku captures the essence of nature and the human experience; something coffee lovers know all about! Part time poets, young and old, can write and submit a haiku at their local cafe. A selection of haiku will be published in the local paper.
Entry Details: Free. Open to all ages.
Dates/Times: Monday 19 August to Saturday 24 August
Location: Participating cafes in Havelock North
Contact: Alex Cameron, alex.cameron.nz@gmail.com
Further info: https://www.facebook.com/modernhaikupoetry
Napier Live Poets
Open mic poetry for readers and lovers of poetry. You do not have to read aloud - just come along to listen, if you like. You get to meet many of Hawke's Bay's finest poets in a relaxed, pleasant environment in Napier.
Entry Details: Free. Open to all ages.
Dates/Times: Friday 23 August, 2.00 pm
Location: Clive Square, Napier
Contact: Jeremy Roberts, 021 0279 8395
MANAWATŪ-WHANGANUI
Guyton Group Trust Poetry Party
Celebrate Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day with the wise and whimsical words of women past & present. Come along to listen or share a poem that you’ve written or read one that inspires you. Light refreshments provided.
Entry Details: Free. Bookings encouraged, email kat@whanganuilibrary.com
Date/Times: Friday 23 August 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Location: Davis Library, Pukenamu Drive, Whanganui
Off the Page: A celebration of National Poetry Day
Poetry performance by Wellington’s iconic Meow Gurrrls followed by an Open Mic hosted by Reuben Simonsen. Bring your original short poem or favourite short poem to share. All languages and themes encouraged, but content should be suitable for a general audience.
Entry Details: This is a free event. All welcome. No need to RSVP.
Date/Times: 23 August 2024. Snacks and chats at 5:30pm. Poetry starts at 6pm
Location: Palmerston North Central Library, Main Entrance (Mezzanine Floor). The Square, Palmerston North
Contact: Gigi Fenster g.fenster@massey.ac.nz
Further Info: https://citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/whats-on/activity/off-the-page-national-poetry-day
Poetry Workshop with Mary-Jane Duffy from the Meow Gurrrls Collective
Free poetry workshop. Bring along a photo of a family member, or someone you would like to be in your family.
Entry Details: This is a free event. To register: email pncl@pncc.govt.nz or call 027 292 9965
Date/Times: 24 August 2024. 10:30 -12:30
Location: Palmerston North Central Library, Ground Floor, Oroua Room
Contact: Gigi Fenster pncl@pncc.govt.nz
Further Info: https://citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/whats-on/activity/off-the-page-national-poetry-day
WELLINGTON/KAPITI COAST
Wellington Central
Author Talk with Grace Yee and Lee Murray in conversation with Chris Tse
Join us in the shop to hear from Grace Yee and Lee Murray chat about their genre-blending books. The authors will be in conversation with Poet Laureate Chris Tse.
Grace Yee's Chinese Fish was awarded the Victorian Prize for Literature, the Victorian Premier's Prize for Poetry, and the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry, Ockham New Zealand Book Awards in 2024.
Lee Murray is a multi-award winning author-editor, essayist, poet and screen-writer. She is a New Zealand Prime-Minister's Award Winner for Literary Achievement in Fiction. Fox Spirit on a Distant Cloud was the winner of the 2023 NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize - kindly supported by the Grimshaw Sargeson Trust.
Presented by Verb Wellington, Satellites, and The National Library of New Zealand
Date/Times: Tuesday 27 August, 12.30 pm – 1.15 pm
Location: Unity Books Wellington
Further info: https://www.unitybooks.co.nz/news-and-events/author-talk-grace-yee-and-lee-murray
Letterpress Love-in
Experience the allure of hand-setting and hand-printing using historic metal types and presses at Wai-te-ata Press, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Bring a few lines from your favourite poem and join The Printer, Sydney Shep, to make a collaborative letterpress poster. Sessions start promptly on the hour.
Entry details: Free, event open to newbies and seasoned creatives alike.
Date/Times: Friday 23 August, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Location: Wai-te-ata Press, Room 006 Rankine Brown Library, Gate 3, Kelburn Parade, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Campus, Wellington
Contact: Sydney Shep, wtapress@vuw.ac.nz
Further info: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/wtapress/about/events/national-poetry-day-2024
THWUP does NPD 2024
Come along to a special lunchtime event at Unity Books Wellington to celebrate National Poetry Day. We’ve gathered a stellar line-up of recently published Pōneke-based THWUP authors for poetry readings and a chat. Featuring James Brown, Morgan Bach, romesh dissanayake, Hannah Mettner, Bill Nelson and Sylvan Spring.
Date/Times: Friday 23 August, 12:30 – 1:15pm
Location: Unity Books, 57 Willis Street, Wellington
Contact: Todd Atticus todd.atticus@vuw.ac.nz
Further Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/3591489881161992
Love: Tried, True and Toxic
Pōneke poets on one of life's great perplexities
Love has long been the subject of poetry – it takes many forms and is not always what you expect. Come along to hear Pōneke poets speak about love of all kinds: a friendship that went bad, a true love that went good, the simple love for a moko, the complicated love for a brother, and more. Simon Sweetman (MC), Danny Bultitude, Zia Ravenscroft,, Maggie Rainey-Smith, Sadie Lawrence, Khadro Mohamed and Richard Langston are published and performance poets who will fill your heart and mind. Event sponsors: New Zealand Society of Authors (Wellington), The Cuba Press, The Undercurrent, and Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day.
Entry Details: Free. Open to all ages. Drinks and nibbles provided
Date/Times: 23 August, 5.30pm - 7.30 pm
Location: The Undercurrent Bookshop, 118 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Contact: nzsawellington@gmail.com
Ōrongohau / Best New Zealand Poems 2024
What better way to anticipate Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day than with a line-up of 13 of the best? Come along to hear Hana Pera Aoake, harold coutts, Cadence Chung, Leah Dodd, Isla Huia, Arihia Latham, Jackson McCarthy, Hannah Mettner, Sinead Overbye, Emma Shi, Tracey Slaughter, Stacey Teague and Marjory Woodfield read their poem selected for the annual online publication Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems 2023, plus a favourite New Zealand poem. The poets will be introduced by Chris Tse.
Entry details: This event is open to the public and free of charge
Date/Times: Monday 19 August 2024, 12.15 pm - 1.15 pm
Location: Rongomaraeroa, Te Marae, Level 4, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
Contact: katie.hardwick-smith@vuw.ac.nz | 04 463 6854
Further information: Go to the IIML website:
https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/modernletters/about/events/writers-mondays
The bad apple Mixtape
Building upon last year's wildly successful 'FRAMED!' event, bad apple and Enjoy Contemporary Art Space reunite for National Poetry Day 2024. This year we move away from the gallery walls for inspiration and instead focus on the musicality in our lives to set the tracklist for 'The bad apple Mixtape'.
From 6:30pm on Friday, August 23rd, local queer poets will come together at Enjoy Contemporary Art Space to read poems created in response to the music that permeates their lives. Ballads your dad hums absentmindedly, angsty emo punk pop hits from your youth, Korean pop masterpieces your little sister blasts from a worn-put speaker, old school waiata from down the marae that you don't really know the words to—it's this messy musicality we reach out for in this mixtape.
All are welcome to come along, to enjoy some kai and inu, and revel in the wealth of local poetic talent! bad apple's open collection for National Poetry Day is an opportunity for all takatāpui, MVPFAFF and LGBTQIA+ people who write poetry to be seen, whether it is their first time publishing and performing, or their fiftieth. All poetry from 'The bad apple Mixtape' collection will also be available to read on badapple.gay.
Date: Friday 23rd August
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: 211 Left Bank, Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington
Contact: Enjoy Contemporary Art Space, enjoy@enjoy.org.nz
Further Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/834935008777816?active_tab=about
Peculiar Letters" is an in-depth poetry reading and panel discussion with four local, queer poets. Alex Cherian (She/They), Amelia Kirkness (She/They), Chris Girven (They/Them), Jason Lingard (He/Him) and Larry McMyler (He/Him) will read recent works and dissect their poems on the big screen. Expect an evening of challenging written works and lively discussion from local queer writers. Hosted by Te Auaha in their private cinema. Space is limited, so book tickets in advance. No door sales.
Tickets: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/peculiar-letters/wellington
Time/Date: 6:30 pm, Saturday 24 August 2024
Location: Te Auaha Cinema, Upstairs, 65 Dixon Street, Wellington. The Te Auaha bar will be open prior to the event. Please note there will be no door sales.
Contact: Sam Van Hellemond, email: vanhellemond1180@gmail.com
Unleash the Power of Poetry with Poems Against Sustainability
Explore your relationship to the environment through interactive conversation; play, poetry and humour. This is a workshop and space for youth to explore their relationship to the environment. Participants' voices will be woven into participatory artwork; Poems Against Sustainability.
Facilitated by Cheryl Gallaway, Ellen Rodda and Siv Fjaerestad from the Tramping Gently Club Art Collective.
Workshop: 22nd August. Free. Open to young people 14+ years at Kuranui College.
Poetry published online: 23rd August: www.instagram.com/trampinggently
Contact: trampinggentlyclub@gmail.com
Further info: https://trampinggently.club/
The Time Machine : Poetry Through the Eras
Explore time travel and poetry! Write poems that include 4 words from a list, then produce your poem using materials from the eras – typewriter, quill pen, charcoal, recording – your choice! Then see your work displayed in the Newtown Library. Everyone who writes a poem gets a prize, and all writers go into a lucky dip for a ticket to the launch of Landing Press’s newest anthology, along with copies of our past books. The workshop will be led by Riah Tahana-Dawson, librarian, writer, imaginator, and altogether inspirational person.
Entry Details: Free. For kids 10-14
Date/Times: Friday 23 August, 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm
Location: YA Section, Newtown Library, 13 Constable Street, Newtown, Wellington
Contact: Riah Tahana-Dawson, riah.t-dawson@wcc.govt.nz
Rangituhi/Writings Across the Sky
National Poetry Day comes to Tawa! A poetry-writing workshop will be held at the Library from 3.30pm until 5.00pm. Next comes an open-air open mic at Tawa Plaza from 6 pm. This event welcomes poets aged 5 to 95!
Entry Details: Free, all ages
Date/Times: Friday 23 August
Workshop: 3.30 pm - 5 pm at the Mervyn Kemp Library, 158 Main Rd, Tawa. RSVP at mark.edgecombe@tac.org.nz
Open Mic: 6 pm, Tawa Plaza, between the Main Road and New World – bring a poem to share
Contact: Mark Edgecombe, mark.edgecombe@tac.org.nz; 021 204 3030
Further Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/837121361327885
Petone
The Night Before : A Poetry Open-Mic with Special Guests
Schrödinger’s Books is hosting an intimate evening of poetry with readings from special guest poets Jake Arthur (Tarot), Romesh Dissanayake (When I Open the Shop), and Evan Thomas (Every Ticking Minute). Followed by an open-mic, where everyone is encouraged to share their poems with the crowd on the night before Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day.
Make sure you email: poems@schrodingersbooks.co.nz to submit your name to read at this event.
Entry Details: Free entry. Recommended for people over 16
Date/Time: Thursday 22nd August, 6.00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Schrödinger’s Books, 137 Jackson Street, Petone 5012
Contact: Joshua - poems@schrodingersbooks.co.nz
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/487562093727397
Kapiti Coast
Open Mic Poetry Night
Celebrate Poetry at the Open Mic Poetry Night – the 12th Annual Kāpiti Coast District Libraries Poetry Competition 2024.
If you're a poet, we want to know it! "Reflection/Pūmahara". Come and enjoy a night of poetry on Phantom National Poetry Day.
Friday 23 August, from 5.30pm - 6.30 pm at Paraparaumu Library
Anyone is welcome to come and read their poem, or just listen in at this friendly and inclusive event. The results of our competition will be announced, and the winners are encouraged to read their poems.
The 2024 print edition of the poetry book, containing all the poems entered in the competition, will be available to purchase at the event.
The eBook is free to download from 6.30 pm, Friday 23 August 2024.
Winter Words
Write and craft snowflake haiku and chilly verse with the Snow Queen, in the cosy children's library space.
Entry Details: Free. All welcome
Date/Times: August 23, 3.30 - 5.00 pm
Location: Porirua Library, Children’s Area, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
Contact: Name and email (required). Bee Trudgeon bee.trudgeon@poriruacity.govt.nz
Further Info: https://porirualibrary.org.nz/whatson/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/213340895915731
Wairarapa
Open Mic Poetry Night
Join us as we welcome you to read your own poem, participate in black out poetry, read a poem by your favourite poet, contribute to our Poet Tree, or just listen and enjoy a night of poetry. Entry is free and refreshments will be served.
Entry Details: Free. The event is open to 7+, Refreshments will be served
Date/Times: Friday 23 August 6.00 - 7.00 pm
Location: Masterton Library, 54 Queen Street, Masterton
Contact: Tiffany Rawlings, programmes@library.mstn.govt.nz
Further Info: https://www.facebook.com/mstnlibrary and website https://mstn.events.mylibrary.digital/
Interactive Poetry with Joan Fleming
Celebrated kiwi poet, Joan Fleming, invites you to the creation of your very own Poem Seeds, through exercises, feedback and encouragement.
Your seeds will then be written on handmade seed paper, which you can take away from the workshop. When your poem/s have later 'grown', you may wish to propagate flowers via the seed pages.
Joan’s honours include the Biggs Poetry Prize, a Creative New Zealand writing fellowship, the Verge Prize for Poetry, the Harri Jones Memorial Prize from the Hunter Writers Centre, and shortlisted for the Helen Anne Bell Poetry Bequest. She holds a PhD from Monash University, Melbourne.
Entry Details: $30 per person. Open to everyone, not necessarily poets. Bookings essential.
Date/Times: Saturday August 17th, 4.00 pm until 7.00 pm
Location: Fareham Creative Space. 80 Underhill Road, Featherston
Register: registrations@farehamcreativespace.nz
100 DAYS of JANET FRAME
Listen every day @ Noon, from 28 August – 5 December, at arrow.fm.co.nz / Arrow FM 92.7fm, Wairarapa's only Access Radio station. A special 100-day celebration. One Janet Frame poem a day, starting on her birthdate, 28 August. There are about 60 readers, including the poets Kate Camp, Rhondda Greig, Bill Manhire, Madeleine Slavick, Chris Tse, and a recording by Janet Frame herself.
Presented by Arrow FM, Wairarapa Word and Wairarapa Library Service, with the support of Masterton Creative Communities and the Janet Frame Literary Trust.
Click 'listen live' on https://www.arrowfm.co.nz
CANTERBURY
Christchurch
Canterbury Poets' Collective Lambing Season - Youth Open Mic
They may be lambs, but these young Canterbury poets are shaking tales and getting noticed! The Canterbury Poets’ Collective brings you LAMBING SEASON, some of the best Canterbury poets under-25 to celebrate National Poetry Day this year.
Four guest poets – Joshiah Morgan, Molly Laurence, Emma Van Schalkwyk, Cooper Harris – plus an OPEN MIC exclusively for our under-25s and MCed by the fabulous DAVIEN GREY!
Mark your calendar now. You don't want to miss this one.
Date, start and end time - Friday 16 August. 5.15 pm for a 5.30 pm start. End 7.30 pm
Venue - Auaha Hīhī Spark Place, Ground Floor, Tūranga, Cathedral Square, Ōtautahi Christchurch
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1872731673227844/
Turn to Gold: Book Launch and Panel Discussion
Sudden Valley Press & The Canterbury Poets’ Collective invite you to join us on August 23rd, National Poetry Day, to celebrate the launch of not everything turns away with a panel discussion featuring 2024 John O’Connor Award winner, Philomena Johnson, and runners-up Catherine Fitchett and Juliet McAra. Find out what it feels like to win, how it feels to come so close, and what it takes to put together a prize-winning poetry collection. To be chaired by the one and only Erik Kennedy. Got questions? Put them to the panel!
Entry Details: Free. Open to all.
Date/Times: Friday 23rd August 2024, 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm
Location: Spark Place/ Auaha Hīhī, Tūranga Christchurch Library, 60 Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Contact: Joanna Preston – joanna@suddenvalleypress.com
Info: https://suddenvalleypress.com/ourbooks/neta/ and https://www.facebook.com/cantypoet
BOOK LAUNCH and PANEL DISCUSSION | Facebook
6pm Speakeasy - Poetry Swap Edition
This is a full-length open mic session, with a twist! Bring your favourite poem along - whether by yourself, or another poet - and prepare to swap with someone else to read on the open mic! Please print your poem out for easy swaps. Participants' poems will be numbered and randomly allocated to other participants to read. This is a great opportunity to have fun reading someone else's piece, without the pressure of producing it yourself. Get familiar with other styles of work, and make poetic connections along the way.
Entry Details: FREE entry, reservations essential via Humanitix at link below
Date/Times: 23 August 2024, 6.00 pm - 7.30 pm. We recommend arriving early to get your poems in for swaps.
Location: Austin Club Basement Bar, 161 Cashel Street, City Centre, Ōtautahi/Christchurch
Contact: Jor Dansaren and email (required). - for this I prefer people contact me through FB as I don't have an artist email address yet - Jor Dansaren, Fire Circus & Spoken Word https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092302039867&mibextid=ZbWKwL
FB event: https://www.facebook.com/share/zXPd47xzk6JkjLYv/?mibextid=9VsGKo
Poems for Tomorrow: Write On Young Writers Masterclasses
The Write On team works with hundreds of young poets each year. Our tutors, Josiah Morgan and Gail Ingram, will excite you with poetry ideas for the future on National Poetry Day.
Entry Details: Book online. https://www.schoolforyoungwriters.org/masterclasses-term3-2024
Year 9-13 students Tutor: Josiah Morgan Times: 9:30 am - 11.30 am
Year 7-10 students Tutor: Gail Ingram Times: 12.30 pm - 2.30 pm
Fee: $10 per session
Date/Times: Friday, August 23rd, 9:30 am - 11.30 am and 12:30 pm - 2.30 pm
Location: Kaiapoi Library (upstairs)
Contact: Heather McQuillan
Further Info: https://www.schoolforyoungwriters.org/masterclasses-term3-2024
Timaru
Word Salad
An evening of spoken word and poetry to celebrate Phantom Billstickers National Poetry in South Canterbury. Word Salad is back for the second year! Join us in Timaru Booksellers, put your name in the salad bowl and be prepared to share your poem. The theme this year is 'Today, Tomorrow, Timaru.
Entry Details: Free. Event open to all ages. BYO. Please RSVP
Date/Times: Friday, 6 pm, 23 August
Location: Timaru Booksellers, 331 Stafford Street, Timaru
Contact: Sharn Siataga, info@timarubooksellers.co.nz
Further Info: bayhillbooks.co.nz
WEST COAST
Hokitika
VOICE IT!
Come celebrate National Poetry Day with us. Bring a poem to read, one of your own or one of your favourite authors, one that rhymes or one that doesn't, one you can sing, whisper or hum, all words are welcome, for the pleasure of our ears. No registration needed, family friendly event.
Date/Times: Friday 23rd August | 5.30 pm to 7.00 pm
Location: Westland District Library, 20 Sewell Street, Hokitika, West Coast.
Contact: Pauline.LeClerc@westlib.co.nzlibrary@westlib.co.nz
Further Info: www.westlib.co.nz or fb page Westland District Library
Grey District
Local Poets in Person: Prize-giving and Poetry Reading
Join the Grey District Library for an evening of poetry readings and light refreshment to celebrate the lead up to Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day. Hear entries from the Grey District Library Poetry Competition and announcement of the winners.
Entry details: Free
Date/Time: Wednesday 21 August, 2024, 5.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Location: Grey District Library, 18 Albert Mall, Greymouth
Contact details: Rachael Flannagan rachael.flannagan@greydc.govt.nz or 03 768 5597
Local Poems on Tour
To celebrate Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day on Friday 23 August, 2024. Individual events will be held at two local rest homes to read Grey District Library Poetry Competition entries including the prize-winning poems to residents.
Contact details: Rachael Flannagan rachael.flannagan@greydc.govt.nz or 03 768 5597
Further info: Closed event; open to rest home residents only
Youth Poetry Writing Workshop and Performance
Join us the Saturday before National Poetry Day for an inspiring poetry writing workshop at our Youth Hub, led by the talented Sam DJ. Then, on National Poetry Day, enjoy a special Poetry Reading hosted by Youth Trust Coordinator and poet Katrina Brown at our Signal Box Poetry Project in Māwhera. Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to share their work and celebrate the power of poetry.
Date/Times: Workshop: August 17th, 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm | Performance: August 23rd, 6.00 pm-7.00 pm
Location: Art Soup, 153 Tainui Street, Greymouth | Signal Box Poetry Project on Māwhera Quay
Contact: Sam Duckor-Jones, sam.duckor-jones@greydistrictyouthtrust.com
OTAGO
Oamaru
NOLA’s Progressive Poem
North Otago Literature Alive is organising a progressive poem, themed North Otago Landscape. To create the poem, people are invited to call in, or text, to share a line to add to the poem that our scribe will record. Lines collated into a lovely long poem about the fabulous landscape of our region. It is hoped the library will display finished poem afterwards for a few weeks and local paper will publish it. The first line of the poem was created by Barbara Simpson who turns 100 a few days after National Poetry Day.
Entry Details: Free, open to all ages
Date/Times: Friday, 23 August, between 8.00 am – 4.00 pm
Location: Brydone Hotel, 115 Thames Street, Oamaru
Contact: Fliss Butcher, email enquiries to hello@nola.org.nz, you can also text your line between 8.00 am - 4.00 pm on Poetry Day to 027 846 198
Further Info: promoted via Twitter/X @LiteratureAlive
Queenstown
Words Without Borders – A Celebration of Inclusive Poetry
Poetry Lab with B.G. Rogers
Unleash your creativity and dive into the world of poetry at Poetry Lab. Experiment with diverse styles and express your unique voice in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Led by B.G. Rogers, a creative writer and professional copywriter from Newcastle (UK) who was first published at the age of 9 (a derogatory ‘revenge’ poem about a teacher who had mistreated her dyslexic brother, she says). She’s now based in Queenstown with her ginormous house rabbit and released her first collection of short stories in 2022. This workshop is open to all levels, from beginners to seasoned writers.
Entry Details: Free to attend. Suitable for age 14+. Booking required
Date/Times: Saturday 3 August, 10.30 am - 12.00 pm
Location: Queenstown Library
Contact: Amy O’Reilly, Queenstown.Library@qldc.govt.nz
Further Info: https://qldclibraries.govt.nz/whats-on/2024/august/national-poetry-day-2024
The Art of the Spoken Word with Julian Noel
Join us for an engaging workshop exploring the art of the spoken word with Julian Noel, a talented local poet and storyteller. Julian, a graduate of the VCA School of Drama in Melbourne, brings his expertise as a performer and public speaker to help you present your written work with flair. This workshop, aimed at enhancing your performance skills and confidence, is open to all.
Entry Details: Free to attend. Suitable for age 14+. Booking required.
Date/Times: Saturday 10 August, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm
Location: Queenstown Library
Contact: Amy O’Reilly, Queenstown.Library@qldc.govt.nz
Further Info: https://qldclibraries.govt.nz/whats-on/2024/august/national-poetry-day-2024
Open Mic Showcase: An Evening of Creative Expression
Join us for an inclusive Open Mic Night where everyone is welcome to perform. Celebrate diverse voices and creative expressions in a supportive environment. All languages and themes are encouraged, providing a platform for all to share their unique perspectives.
Please express your interest in performing by Wednesday 21 August by emailing amy.oreilly@qldc.govt.nz
Entry Details: Free to attend. Suitable for age 12+. Booking required.
Date/Times: Thursday 22 August, 5.30 pm - 7.00 pm
Location: Queenstown Library
Contact: Amy O’Reilly, Queenstown.Library@qldc.govt.nz
Further Info: https://qldclibraries.govt.nz/whats-on/2024/august/national-poetry-day-2024
Learn to Write Good with Dominic Hoey
Join best-selling writer and poet, Dominic Hoey as he takes you through a creative writing workshop on character creation and writing dialogue. Using exercises and examples, Dominic will illustrate how to come up with believable characters and get them speaking like real people. The class will be relaxed, with a focus on learning tools to help bring your writing to life.
Entry Details: Cost is $40, Event open to all ages
Date/Times: Saturday 10 August, 9.00 am - 12.00 pm
Location: The Mountain Club, 65 Beach St, Queenstown
Contact: The Queenstown Writers Festival, info@qtwritersfestival.nz
Further Info: Facebook Event | Humanitix Listing
Dominic Hoey Poetry Night
Join best-selling author and poet, Dominic Hoey, for a night of poetry and stories.
Dominic has performed all around the world, published 4 books of poetry, two novels and raised a very annoying small dog called Chilli. He'll be joined by local poets Bethany Rogers and Julian Noel.
Entry Details: Cost is $20, R18
Date/Times: Friday 9 August, 7.00 pm
Location: Sherwood Queenstown, 554 Frankton Road, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Contact: groups@sherwoodqueenstown.nz
Further Info: Facebook Event | Humanitix Listing
Words Without Borders: A Celebration of Inclusive Poetry
It’s open mic night at the library!
Share your original spoken word poetry, songs or even flash fiction in your native language in front of a local audience. No performance experience is required, just come along and give it a go in a supportive and welcoming space. Everyone is welcome to come along to listen and support.
Let us know you are coming and if you choose to perform and we will add your name to the list on the night!
More information is available at the library.
Event details: Free to attend | suitable for ages 14yrs + | Booking Appreciated
Date: Thursday 22nd August
Time: Doors open 5:30 pm for refreshments | Open Mic from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Wānaka Library
Contact: Eve Marshall-Lea, Wanaka.Library@qldc.govt.nz
Further Info: https://qldclibraries.govt.nz/whats-on/2024/august/national-poetry-day-2024
Alexandra
Poetry Party Book Launch of their Poetry Booklet
A celebration of poetry by 11 Poets contributions to the Poetry Party over the past 5 years.
The Evening will include recitals from as many of the 11 poets as can be present on the night. The Launch will be open to the Public, an entry fee of $5 dollars will help with the costs.
There will be an opportunity for other poets to read a poem at the event. There will be local wines and food to continue the tradition of a Poetry Party.
The Poetry Booklet will be on sale at a cost of $12 dollars a copy, signed by as many of the 11 poets as you want, to mark the occasion.
Date: 23rd of August, starting at 5.30 pm until 8pm
Venue: Community House, Centennial Avenue, Alexandra
Contact: Ray Wright, 0272586600.
Dunedin
From Hills to Harbour: Celebrating Ōtepoti Landscapes
A grand poetry event with nearly 50 poets celebrating our natural landscapes, and 10 years of Ōtepoti UNESCO City of Literature. Poets share new poetry that examines and celebrates our Otago landscape – past, present, future. 2024 is a collaborative enterprise, with poets working together to produce new work, plus original musical interpretations and competition winners. With this year’s theme, we actively engage our world, asking questions about changing contours of environment, land and sea. We begin from a point that is our reality – our city and its surrounds – and expand outwards to share poetic views literal and metaphorical, real and surreal.
Entry Details: FREE
Date/Times: August 23
Location: Dunningham Suite, Dunedin City Library
Contact: Michelle Elvy / michelle.elvy@gmail.com or Ali Boyne / Ali.Boyne@dcc.govt.nz
Further Info: https://calendar.time.ly/brxu661o/event/77668545/20240823173000
Spontaneous Poetry
Get a personal typewritten poem about anything you like to celebrate Phantom Bill stickers National Poetry Day.
In Dunedin city on 23rd August 2.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Angelina is a spontaneous street poet, who works from the office of the city corner, finding words for those who seek to express themselves.
Every poem is a shared experience.
Message for exact location
https://www.facebook.com/share/5uaFUjSYyEWygTeL/?mibextid=qi2Omg
https://www.instagram.com/angelina_stanton_poet?igsh=b3h5ZHZhN2tkbmpy