National Poetry Day logo
About National Poetry Day
Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day 2025 celebrations: (Top to Bottom, L-R) Waiheke Poetry on the Pavement; Poet Laureate Robert Sullivan at a Dunedin event; essa may ranapiri at One for the Road,Wellington. Illuminated Horizons in Henderson; Blackout Poetry at The Open Book, Ponsonby; Scots College students in Wellington. Winning U18 entry in Blackout Poetry Aotearoa competition; Botany Downs Primary School’s magnetic board; Poetry & Pizza in Levin.

About National Poetry Day

First established in 1997, National Poetry Day is a one-day nationwide celebration of poetry held annually in late August. In 2025, Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day took place on Friday 22 August.

Poetry erupted across Aotearoa in an eclectic, joyful celebration of words — with 110 events in schools, libraries, bookshops, galleries, community spaces and city streets. From performances and workshops to slams and pop-ups, this year’s programme showcased the diversity and bold spirit of poetry in every corner of the country.

Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day is governed by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust | Te Ohu Tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa and proudly supported by Phantom Billstickers. To find out more about our amazing sponsor, click on the bulldog below.