POP-UP DISPLAY

For one week only, explore original collection materials relating to Homosexual Law Reform in New Zealand. Come and see a fascinating selection of related materials including posters, t-shirts, flyers, badges and video footage in person.

The display includes materials from Kawe Mahara Queer Archives, the Alexander Turnbull Library at the National Library, Archives New Zealand and Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.

Date/Times: Saturday 1 August to Saturday 8 August (opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm).

Location: Main Gallery, National Library of New Zealand, 70 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington

Pop-up display: 40 Years of Homosexual Law Reform | National Library of New Zealand

ORONGOHAU | BEST NEW ZEALAND POEMS 2025

Join Chris Price in celebration of the 2025 edition of Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems (as selected by Cilla McQueen).

We will hear poems from a stellar line up of local poets including Nick Ascroft, Tusiata Avia, Jenny Bornholdt, Kate Camp, Mauatua Fa’ara-Reynolds, Jackson McCarthy and Chris Tse.

Our poets will share their featured poems and their own favourite poems of Aotearoa in this warm-up to National Poetry Day.

Entry details: This event is open to the public and free of charge.

Date/Times: Monday 24 August 2026 | 12.15pm - 1.15pm

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

NZSA WELLINGTON PRESENTS: PANEL OF POETS

Chris Tse discusses poetry and books with Helen Rickerby, Anna Jackson and Jackson McCarthy

Entry: Free

Date/Times: Tuesday 25 August, 6-7pm

Book here: nzsawellington@gmail.com

Location: Two/Fifty Seven, Willis Street, Wellington (Above Unity Books). Entrance on Victoria Street.

POETRY AOTEAROA YEARBOOK 2026 LAUNCH

Massey University Press warmly invites you to a special National Poetry Day event to mark 75 years since the establishment of Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook. There will be a talk on the Yearbook’s history, and readings by several Wellington poets and by 2026 edition featured poet Josiah Morgan. Editor Tracey Slaughter will launch the book. Friends and whānau welcome. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Entry Details: Free to attend. Please RSVP here.

Date/Times: Friday 28 August at 6pm

Location: Unity Books, 57 Willis Street, Wellington

Contact: Cadence Galt c.galt@massey.ac.nz

Further Info: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AUVLSX2J7/

PERVERSE VERSE

Michael Gould reads from his recently released collection. The New Zealand Listener said of Perverse Verse: “Anarchic, funny, sometimes gay, sometimes angry, always criticising the world, and unique.”

Entry Details: Free. Open to everyone 16 years of age or older

Date/Times: Friday 28 August, 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm

Location: Wellington Writers’ Studio, (upstairs) 145 Cuba Street, Wellington

Contact: info@michaelgould.co.nz

Further Info: www.michaelgould.co.nz; https://www.facebook.com/michael.gould.1481169/

https://www.thebigidea.co.nz/event/national-poetry-day-perverse-verse-437638

WRITE IT ON THE SKY

Open Mic Outdoors! Calling all poets, no matter age or experience. This is a chance to share original poems with the Tawa public.

Entry: Free

Entry Details: No cost, open to all ages. No RSVP required.

Date/Time: Friday 28 August / 6.00pm - 7.00pm

Location: Tawa Plaza (at the entrance to New World)

Contact: Mark Edgecombe - mark.edgecombe@tac.org.nz

Further Info: Facebook Event (Write It On the Sky!)

GOLDEN APPLES OF THE SUN: CELEBRATE NATIONAL POETRY DAY AT AURELIA BOOKS

Aurelia is the newest bookshop in Pōneke and its name means ‘golden’. We’ve asked a shining circle of poets to read poems they’ve written about something golden, and to select favourite golden oldies to share, like ‘The Song of Wandering Aengus’ by W B Yeats (which gives us the title of this event). Come and bask in the sunshine of Fiona Kidman,Tusiata Avia, Francis Aschoff, Keith Westwater, Jordan Hamel, Mary McCallum.

Entry: Free – all ages

Date/Times: Friday 28 August / 12.15pm – 1.15pm

Location: Aurelia, 109 Willis Street, Wellington.

Contact: Brodie Joyce 022 0542696

Further info: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/golden-apples-of-the-sun-celeb/2096350597984256/

ROLLER-AMA @ WAI-TE-ATA PRESS

Take printing out of the studio and onto the road with large-format poetry printing using a garden roller, BIG wood types, and other typographic curiosities. Join Sydney Shep, The Printer, at Wai-te-ata Press, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, for a unique, show-stopping experience. All welcome.

Entry details: Free, event open to newbies and seasoned creatives alike.

Date/Times: Friday 28 August, 10am-4pm

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-2026

Instagram: @waiteatapress

OUTING THE CANDLE - A QUEER POETRY SHOWCASE

A night of poetry readings from a diverse cast of queer poets: Freya Turnbull, Holly Rowsell, June Ha, Maia Armistead, Whaitiri Tua-Warbrick, and special guest Chris Tse!

Come enjoy some fine company and magical writing in the heart of the city, the Sunday after National Poetry Day, for a cosy way to top off a weekend of literary events in style.

Special thanks to the venue two/fiftyseven for their support of the event.

Entry Details: Waged/unwaged options available through Humanitix.

Door sales on the night.

Date/Times: Sunday 30 August. Doors open 6pm, poetry begins 6:30pm.

Location: 2/57 Willis Street, Wellington

Contact: Alexandra Cherian | harshexciting@gmail.com

Further info: Instagram page | Facebook event | Humanitix link