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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QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT LIBRARIES
Got a poem? Let’s make it hit harder. In this fun, hands-on session, explore how voice, movement, and audience reactions shape your performance. Tune up your piece, trim the fluff, and rethink your delivery to truly land your message. Come curious, rewrite boldly, and leave ready to own the mic. Limited spaces, booking essential.
Entry Details: Free
Date/Times:
Saturday 9th August, 10:30am-12pm | Wānaka Library (1 Bullock Creek Lane, Dunmore Street, Wānaka). Wanaka.Library@qldc.govt.nz or 03 443 0410
Saturday 16th August, 10:30am-12pm | Queenstown Library (10 Gorge Road, Queenstown), Queenstown.Library@qldc.govt.nz or 03 441 0600
Further Info: https://qldclibraries.govt.nz/whats-on?tag=poetry+day
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BLACKOUT POETRY WITH BETHANY G. ROGERS
Words are everywhere... but what happens when we take them away? In celebration of National Poetry Day, join author and poet Bethany G. Rogers for a hands-on blackout poetry workshop, where redacting text becomes a powerful act of expression. Discover how to create striking visual poems & new works of art using only a black marker and the printed word. No prior experience needed, just bring your curiosity and creativity! Materials provided, but feel free to bring your own printed material if there’s something specific you wish to work on.
Entry Details: Free
Date/Times: Thursday 21st August, 5:45pm – 6:45pm
Location: Queenstown Library (10 Gorge Road, Queenstown)
Contact: Queenstown.Library@qldc.govt.nz or 03 441 0600
Further Info: https://qldclibraries.govt.nz/whats-on?tag=poetry+day
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POETRY SLAM
Bring your voice, your verse, and your vibe to the Library Poetry Slam! Whether you're performing or in the crowd, expect bold words, raw emotion, and big energy. Read a favourite poem or perform your own. All styles welcome. All voices valued. Sign up on the night, mic drops encouraged. Please note this is a non-competitive event.
Entry Details: Free
Date/Times: Thursday 21st August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Location: Wānaka Library or 03 443 0410 (1 Bullock Creek Lane, Dunmore Street, Wānaka)
Contact: Wanaka.Library@qldc.govt.nz or 03 443 0410
Further Info: https://qldclibraries.govt.nz/whats-on?tag=poetry+day
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LYRICS ON A LISTLESS WORLD: A LYRICAL WRITING WORKSHOP WITH VIOLET HIRST
Violet Hirst is a Tāhuna-raised songwriter, musician, and artist inspired by dance, theatre, and film. She self-released her debut album Donegal in 2023, touring nationwide and earning a Student Radio Network nomination for Best Album. Last year, she toured the USA with Office Dog and is now working on her second album. Violet has also written for indie label Flying Nun and studied at the Institute of Modern Letters. Join Violet to explore her work, hear her perform selected songs and writings, and enjoy following creative prompts to discover your own lyrical potential. Book your ticket through Humanitix, or by emailing frankton.library@qldc.govt.nz or calling 03 441 3680.
Entry Details: Free
Date/Times: Thursday 28th August, 5:30 – 6:30pm
Location: Frankton Library (26 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton)
Contact: Frankton.Library@qldc.govt.nz or 03 441 3680
Further Info: https://qldclibraries.govt.nz/whats-on?tag=poetry+day
NATIONAL POETRY DAY ŌTEPOTI: LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
Local poets will share new work that examines our Otago history as well as what this place means to us today, and how it is imagined into our future.
The evening begins with a youth poetry event, with results from the 2025 NPD youth competition. The event also includes the launch of the locally created chapbook anthology A shell-print of waves: Aramoana poems, edited by David Eggleton and Michelle Elvy.
Join a range of Otago talents, from Otago University’s MCW students to award-winning poets, including: Brenda Finlayson, Claire Beynon, Emma Neale, Holly Fletcher, Jackson, John Gibb, Michelle Elvy, Richard Reeve, Robert Sullivan, Sam Montgomerie, Sandie Forsyth & Nicola Thorstensen. And music to light up our night from Simon Eastwood, bass, & Motoko Kikkawa, violin.
Entry Details: Koha entry
Date/Time: Friday, 22 August, 5pm – 8pm. 5pm Youth Poetry reading and awards | 5.45 drinks and nibbles, poetry and music with Simon Eastwood, bass, & Motoko Kikkawa, violin
Venue: The Athenaeum & Mechanics’ Institute, The Octagon
Plus a raffle! Win a bundle of books worth $150 with your $5 raffle ticket. The book bundle is generously donated by Otago University Press.
Contact: nzsaotagosouthland@gmail.com – for info and to purchase raffle tickets
ŌTEPOTI CHAMPAGNE & POETRY TASTER
Ōtepoti starts National Poetry Day with a noon poetry reading from Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2025.
Part of NZSA Otago Southland’s Salon Reading Series and supported by Ōtepoti UNESCO City of Literature, Massey University Press and UBS, this event includes poets from this year’s yearbook. Join us as we raise a glass to National Poetry Day with bubbly and cake!
Poets include:
- Diane Brown
- Duncan Eddy
- Michael Hall
- Ruby Appleby
- Sue Wootton
- Victor Billot
- Michelle Elvy (MC)
Date and time: Friday, 22 August, 12.00pm
Location: University Book Shop, 378 Great King Street, Ōtepoti
BRIAN TURNER: A CELEBRATION OF THE PERSON AND THE POET
Guests will be welcomed with a specially written poem by Michael Harlow, created for this occasion.
Jillian Sullivan will reflect on Brian — both the man and the poet — and share her own poem written for him.
Friends and family will then take the stage to speak about their Brian, each reading a poem of his that holds special meaning.
The formal part of the evening will conclude with closing words and a final poem from Jillian.
Entry: $10 door charge, no bookings, no eftpos, no refunds.
Date and Time: 22nd August, at 6.30 pm.
Location: Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery, Centennial Ave, Alexandra.
Contact: The Poetry Party, Ray Wright, email janie.g@xtra.co.nz, ph: 0272 586 600.