Calendar of Events
WELCOME TO THE 2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS!
With over 110 events confirmed across the motu — from city slams to rural rhyme nights — this year’s line-up is a powerful testament to the vitality of poetry in Aotearoa. It’s everywhere, and it’s more accessible than ever.
From verse on soda cans to typewriters on the street, hip hop gigs to inter-arts showcases, regional organisers have pulled out all the stops. There’s an inaugural Writers & Poets Festival in Kerikeri, a full week of celebrations in Invercargill — and so much more in between!
To help you find your nearest poetic fix, use the handy region tabs (below and left) to explore what’s happening near you — or venture further afield. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or a curious newcomer, this is your invitation to be part of something big.
On Friday 22 August, let’s come together to celebrate the power of poetry — and watch it shine across the country!
Event Filter
AUCKLAND LIBRARIES: COLLAGE AND CREATE POETRY!
Celebrate the art of poetry here in the library with a collage poetry workshop!
Pick out words from old books and magazines, cut and paste them together to create a poem AND a work of art at the same time! Use colour, images, and shapes – there’s no limit to the creativity you can put on show.
We welcome all ages to this workshop to give it a go – our librarians will be on hand to help out, or you can grab some materials, chill out and create on your own.
The most exciting part…select poems will be turned into posters to be displayed in the library, as part of our National Poetry Day celebrations throughout August! As a bonus, participants could also create and enter a poem for our For the Love of Reading! Poetry competition, and go into the draw to WIN!
All materials will be provided, although we welcome donations of old magazines/picture books to work with as well. Create and celebrate poetry with us!
Entry Details: Free. All ages welcome.
Locations:
Mt Albert (St Lukes) Library – 84 St Lukes Road, Mt Albert
Sunday 10th August, 2-3PM. chloe.pope@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Mt Roskill (Three Kings) Library - 546 Mt Albert Rd, Mt Roskill
Mt Roskill Library – Saturday 23rd August, 10.30AM – 12.30PM. mac.osullivan@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Epsom Library - 195 Manukau Rd, Epsom
Epsom Library – Monday 11th August, 4-5PM. sarah.choi@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Library Connect (Phone) - 09 377 0209
Further info: Mt Albert Library Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/15aTj4HYzu/
Epsom Library Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/1102793788676430/
GLENBROOK SCHOOL
Glenbrook School will be celebrating poetry and our poets throughout August 18th to 22nd. We invite students, parents and families to create and share their poetry with us. 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. We will be having a special poetry focus each day!
This year we have a focus on Slam Poetry and look forward to students sharing their creations!
Entry Details: Please email your poetry to Ms Stuart, stuartl@glenbrook.school.nz
Date/Times: August 18th to 22nd
Location: Glenbrook School
Contact: Ms Stuart, stuartl@glenbrook.school.nz
AUT CELEBRATES NATIONAL POETRY DAY
A reading by AUT creative writing staff, students and alumni to celebrate National Poetry Day 2025. AUT readers will share poems and there'll be an open mic. Readers include Michael Giacon, Alexandra Fraser, Lincoln Jaques and Siobhan Harvey. All ages welcome.
Entry Details: Free. Open to all ages.
Date/Times: Monday 18 August 2025, 12 pm to 2 pm
Location: WF611, AUT City Campus, Mayoral Drive, Auckland CBD
Contact: To reserve seats or for further information contact Siobhan Harvey, siharvey@aut.ac.nz
DEAD POETS WITH POETRY LIVE!
Entry Details: Free
Date/Times: Tuesday 19th August, from 7.30pm
Location: Café 39, Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Further Info: poetrylivenz.wixsite.com
IG @poetryliveaotearoa | FB Poetry Live!
THE GREAT 2025 GREY LYNN POETRY AND PIZZA NIGHT
When: 6pm, Thursday 21 August
Where: Grey Lynn Library, 474 Great North Rd, Auckland
Further information: Last year’s GGLP&P was a full house, so please book on our listing page at www.eventfinda.co.nz (search: poetry pizza).
TIME OUT BOOKSTORE
On Friday 22nd August at 6pm, come to Time Out Bookstore and hear readings from some of Tāmaki Makaurau's most dazzling poets! For this 11th year of All Tomorrow's Poets, we are honoured to welcome: Daniel Goodwin, Abby Irwin-Jones, Haro Lee, Amy Marguerite, Miriana Jo McGechie, and Jenny Rockwell.
This event is free of charge.
Please RSVP at books@timeout.co.nz
THE MUSIC OF POETRY
The Music of Poetry, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, features a line-up of guest poets and musicians. In collaboration with the University of Auckland School of Music, this event brings together experienced writers and emerging voices. Join us for an evening of rhythm, verse, and celebration!
Entry details: Koha entry, any and all welcome!
Date/Time: 22 August, 6.00 – 8.00pm
Location: University of Auckland School of Music, 6 Symonds Street, Auckland Central
Contact: Lola Elvy, lola.elvy@gmail.com
BLACKOUT POETRY AT THE OPEN BOOK
This year we are also making a zine from your poems! Submit your creations in store and be in to win store credit to spend at The Open Book! No bookings or entry fee required.
When: Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th August, 10am to 5pm
Where: The Open Book, 201 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Tāmaki Makaurau
Further information: More info at theopenbook.co.nz/events
POETRY AOTEAROA YEARBOOK 2025 LAUNCH
We will gather at Dear Reader in Grey Lynn for the launch and poetry readings from several poets from the book, and then move to Freida Margolis wine bar next door for those who want to continue festivities. All welcome!
Place and time: Friday, 22 August, 6pm at Dear Reader Grey Lynn, 436 Richmond Road, Auckland 1021
Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/heMCETTRDRUG7pCB9
More information: https://www.facebook.com/share/16fDnxejXS/
POETRY ON THE PAVEMENT
Bring a poem to share – we will supply the chalk! After the chalking, an open mic event will be held at Waiheke Library 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 22 August, 1pm – 4pm.
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
TALK & TEA: POETRY IN THE ISLAMIC TRADITION
Entry Details: Free Event | Event open to 15+ | RSVP to
Date: Friday 22nd August, 7.30 - 9pm
Location: My Little Library, 1484B Dominion Road, Mt Roskill, Auckland
Contact: Saadiyah, mylittlelibrarynz@gmail.com
Further Information: https://www.mylittlelibrarynz.com/pages/tea-and-talk | https://www.facebook.com/share/1JbE6htwos/ | www.mylittlelibrarynz.com |
CHALK POETRY WITH SP THE POET
Event details: Free. Open to all ages.
Day/Time: 22 August, 10.30am – 12.30pm (weather permitting)
Location: Freyberg Place, outside the Ellen Melville Centre, Auckland CBD
Contact: Sophie Procter spnz.writer@gmail.com
Further info: Instagram: @sp_thepoet
TYPEWRITER POETRY WITH SP THE POET
Event details: Free. Open to all ages.
Day/Time: 22 August, 1.30pm - 4pm
Location: Central City Library, 44/46 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD
Contact: Sophie Procter spnz.writer@gmail.com
Further info: Instagram:@sp_thepoet