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!
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CANTERBURY POETS' COLLECTIVE LAMBING SEASON
The Canterbury Poets’ Collective, with support of Phantom Billstickers and Christchurch City Libraries, brings you LAMBING SEASON, some of the best Canterbury poets under-25 to celebrate National Poetry Day 2025!
There will be four featured guest poets – COOPER HARRIS, JESSICA XU, EDWARD GILBERT, and BUGS SULLIVAN – plus an OPEN MIC exclusively for our under-25s and MCed by the wonderful DAVIEN GRAY.
Entry details: Sign-ups for the open mic open at 5:15 pm!
Date/Time: Friday 15 August, 5.15pm - 7.30pm
Location: Tautoro TSB Space, First Floor, Turanga, Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Audience: While under-12s are free, this event is recommended for over-12s as some of the subject matter may be unsuitable for under-12s. Parents, please use your discretion.
Tickets via Humanitix: $10 for adults; $5 for students/unwaged; under-12 free. All proceeds go to help the Canterbury Poets’ Collective bring more poets and more poetry to more people. https://events.humanitix.com/lambing-season-poetry-reading
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/4295328757366642/
POETRY ARRIVED IN SEARCH OF ME: WRITE ON YOUNG WRITERS ONLINE
The Write On team works with hundreds of young poets each year. Some of them are discovering a love of poetry for the first time.
Our tutor, Philomena Johnson, has selected some poems that have stood out from the 2025 workshops so far, and we have curated them online in time for National Poetry Day.
Featuring young poets from ages 6 to 18.
“And it was at that age ... Poetry arrived
in search of me.” Pablo Neruda
Entry Details: Free access
Date/Times: Live Online on August 22nd 2025
Location: https://www.schoolforyoungwriters.org/blog
Contact: Heather McQuillan
Further Info: Event: https://www.facebook.com/schoolforyoungwriters/
WORD SALAD AT TIMARU BOOKSELLERS
Co-hosted by the booksellers of Timaru and the super creatives at the Aigantighe Gallery, Word Salad is back (for the third year!) at its home in the newly refurbished Aigantighe Gallery.
Entry Details: Free. Open all ages.
Date/Times: 22nd August 2025, 6.00pm.
Location: Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru
Contact info@timarubooksellers.co.nz to register
WAIMATE WHISPERS & WISDOM
Join us at the Waimate Library for Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day!
We're excited to have local poet and musician, Jean Barkman, for a morning of captivating poetry with a musical flavour. Feel inspired after Jeans set to share your own original poem or a poem that moves you. Do not miss this opportunity to celebrate the power of poetry, music and discover our own local poetic talent! We can't wait to share the magic of words with you at Waimate Whispers & Wisdom!
Entry Details: Free. Open all ages.
Date/Times: 22nd August 2025, 10am to 11.30am.
Location: Waimate District Library, 125 Queen Street, Waimate.
Contact: Karen or Tony at the Waimate Library: library@waimatedc.govt.nz or 03 689 0071.
Numbers are limited, please register for this event.
For further info: Keep an eye on the Waimate District Council Facebook page.
WHICH WITCH BODY BOOK LAUNCH
In Which Witch Body Melanie McKerchar explores what it is to have body that inhabits the margins of what we are taught is good. The witch body is a political statement, the poems in this collection embody the grief, anger, joy and pride of a journey into disability. These poems are fierce and fiery; “a climate changed fuelled-bushfire to burn down all the bullshit”; lush and loving. ME, colonisation, feminism, colour. McKerchar’s second collection is a rainbow of emotions that leave the reader moved and uplifted.
Entry Details: Free
Date/Times: Friday 22nd August. 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Location: Space Academy, 371 St Asaph Street, Christchurch
Contact: Melanie McKerchar longlowdogpublishing@gmail.com
Further Info: https://www.facebook.com/share/155da3BHTs/
RETIRED RHYMERS UNLEASHED
Ōtautahi poet Greg O'Connell leads a playful, one-hour writing sweatshop (oops! writing workshop) that unleashes laughter and lyricism.
Date/Times: 22 August, 10:30am-11:30am
Location: Diana Isaac Retirement Village
Contact: Greg O'Connell, gregoconnellnz@gmail.com
Further Info: Facebook event
THE YO-YOETRY POETRY SHOW AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE ŌTAUTAHI
School Journal poet Greg O'Connell delivers a free, playful, one-hour show that raises funds for families who must travel to Christchurch for their child's medical treatment.
Entry Details: Complimentary in-house poetry show for resident families at RMHC.
Date/Times: 22 August, 4pm-5pm
Location: Ronald McDonald House Christchurch
Contact: Greg O'Connell, gregoconnellnz@gmail.com
Further Info: Facebook event