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
INVERCARGILL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Try out different ways of writing poetry using materials at the Invercargill Public Library. Using pages from some of our deleted books, black out the majority of the words to find your poem within the paragraphs. Or put together magnetic phrases to create your own poem.
Entry Details: Free. Suitable for all ages.
Date/Times: 18-24 August. 9am-6pm on weekdays. 10am-4pm on weekend.
Location: Ground Floor, Invercargill Public Library
Contact: Katie Greene, katie.greene@ilibrary.co.nz
Further info: ilibrary.co.nz
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RHYME & RIDDLE SCAVENGER HUNT
Follow the rhyming riddles around the library and complete the mystery poem. All completed scavenger hunts will go in the draw to win some new poetry books from the Invercargill Public Library.
Entry Details: Free. Suitable for 0-11 years.
Date/Times: 18-24 August. 9am-6pm on weekdays. 10am-4pm on weekend.
Location: Ground Floor, Invercargill Public Library
Contact: Katie Greene, katie.greene@ilibrary.co.nz
Further info: ilibrary.co.nz
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RHYME STORYTIME WITH LIBRARY LYN
Join Library Lyn for a selection of rhyming stories on National Poetry Day. Featuring classic children’s tales, alongside other poems from our collection. Afterwards, stick around for our Pig in a Wig craft!
Entry Details: Free. Open to all ages.
Date/Times: 10:30-11:30am, Friday 22 August.
Location: Children’s Lounge, Invercargill Public Library
Contact: Katie Greene, katie.greene@ilibrary.co.nz
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SLAM POETRY WORKSHOP WITH INGRID SVEDLUND-CAMPBELL
Courageous storytelling from the heart. Find your slam voice in a safe and inclusive environment with Ingrid Svedlund-Campbell. Ingrid is a self-published poet, art therapist and founder of the Rewoven Therapy Charitable Trust. She is currently writing her Masters using Poetic Inquiry, and will be launching her new book Grief Like Wild Horses at the Invercargill Public Library on 18 August.
Entry Details: $10.00 entry. Suitable for teens (15 years old and up) and adults. Limited spaces, book online by Tuesday 19 August.
Dates/Times: 6pm-8pm, Wednesday 20 August
Location: Meeting Room, Invercargill Public Library
Contact: Katie Greene, katie.greene@ilibrary.co.nz
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POETRY WORKSHOP WITH EMMA NEALE
Brought to you by the Dan Davin Literary Foundation. Enhance your poetry writing skills with award-winning poet Emma Neale. Emma is the author of six novels, seven collections of poetry, and a collection of short stories.
Her sixth novel, Billy Bird (2016) was short-listed for the Acorn Prize at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards and long-listed for the Dublin International Literary Award. Emma has received several literary fellowships, residencies and awards, including the Lauris Edmond Memorial Award for a Distinguished Contribution to New Zealand Poetry 2020.
Her latest poetry collection, Liar, Liar, Lick, Spit (Otago University Press) won the Peter and Mary Biggs Award for Poetry at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, 2025. The mother of two children, Emma lives in Ōtepoti/Dunedin, where she works as an editor.
Entry Details: $20.00 entry. Suitable for teens (15 years old and up) and adults. Limited spaces, book online by Friday 22 August.
Dates/Times: 10am-12:30pm, Sunday 24 August
Location: Meeting Room, Invercargill Public Library
Contact: dandavin@xtra.co.nz
Further info: https://www.dandavin.org.nz
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We invite you for a night of poetry with Emma Neale, recent winner of the Mary & Peter Biggs Poetry Award at the Ockham Book Awards 2025. Come along and read your own poetry at our open mic, or simply sit back and listen to some of our amazing local talent. Drinks and nibbles available.
Emma Neale is the author of six novels, seven collections of poetry, and a collection of short stories. Her sixth novel, Billy Bird (2016) was short-listed for the Acorn Prize at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards and long-listed for the Dublin International Literary Award.
Emma has received several literary fellowships, residencies and awards, including the Lauris Edmond Memorial Award for a Distinguished Contribution to New Zealand Poetry 2020.
Her latest poetry collection, Liar, Liar, Lick, Spit (Otago University Press) won the Peter and Mary Biggs Award for Poetry at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, 2025. The mother of two children, Emma lives in Ōtepoti/Dunedin, where she works as an editor.
Entry details: Free entry. Suitable for adults.
Dates/Times: 6pm, Saturday 23 August
Location: Meeting Room, Invercargill Public Library
Contact: Katie Greene, katie.greene@ilibrary.co.nz
Further info: ilibrary.co.nz