Calendar of Events
WELCOME TO THE 2026 NATIONAL POETRY DAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS!
National Poetry Day 2026 brought poetry to communities across Aotearoa, with events for every kind of poetry lover.
From intimate workshops and library lock-ins to street poetry, spoken word, exhibitions and community celebrations, organisers found their own ways to celebrate poetry on Friday 28 August.
Browse the regions below to discover the events that took place across Aotearoa for National Poetry Day 2026.
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(THE NIGHT BEFORE) NATIONAL POETRY DAY AT SCHRÖDINGER'S BOOKS
Where: Schrödinger's Books, 137 Jackson Street, Petone 5012
When: Thursday 27th August, 6pm start
What: Celebrate (the night before) National Poetry Day with Schrödinger's Books featuring readings from Nick Ascroft (It's What He Would've Wanted), Jenny Bornholdt (What to Wear), James Brown (New Days for Old) and Jordan Hamel (Everyone is Everyone Except You).
Koha entry. RSVP by emailing books@schrodingersbooks.co.nz
PORIRUA CITY LIBRARIES CHILDREN’S LIBRARY
Entry: Free
Date/Times: Friday 28 August
3.30pm – 5.15pm - All ages - Try your hand at various poetry styles and make a crafty display for your work.
4.00pm - Senior Students Poetry Workshop - Reverse engineer a poem with awarding-winning poet and Children’s Librarian, Bee Trudgeon. This workshop is aimed at students in Years 7-13. Please RSVP to bee.trudgeon@poriruacity.govt.nz to secure your seat.
Location: Porirua City Library, Porirua
Book here: bee.trudgeon@poriruacity.govt.nz