Friday 28 August is National Poetry Day. Check out the National Poetry Day website to see what's happening in Ōtautahi Christchurch and Canterbury.
WHAIAO presents: The Art of Māori Zine-Making
11am to 4pm, Tautoru / TSB Space, Hapori | Community, Level 1, Tūranga
This zine workshop is for everyone. Whether you’re an experienced maker and writer or new to the world of zines—nau mai, haere mai!
We will begin the session with a kōrero about the history of zines and the whakapapa of Māori self-publishing. By tracing these two parallel histories of community-driven practices, we will ultimately see how they are grounded in mana motuhake - self determination. For first-timers, you will be introduced to different types & styles of zines, and be guided through a series of creative exercises to create at least one handmade zine with your original content. The workshop also offers space for those who wish to work more autonomously and chip away at their own zine projects while providing in-house materials and resources (as well as quality banter and company). Attendees are welcome to make any style of zine they like, though as our kaupapa falls on National Poetry Day, we will have a focus on making poetry zines.
Find out more
National Poetry Day competition
Write your own! In celebration of National Poetry Day, we are running a Poetry competition. Winners will have their poem printed on a tote bag and published on this very website!
Entries are open from 17 to 31 August. Find out more.
More Poetry
New poetry books coming soon
I'm looking forward to two new poetry books on their way in August and September:
This Imperfect Light by Ben Brown (with original artwork by Bill Hammond), published by Dead Bird Books
Launch at Scorpio Books with Dead Bird Books Thursday 27 August 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Find out more and RSVP.
Dynamite by Megan Clayton, published by Sudden Valley Press
Launch on National Poetry Day, Friday 28 August 5pm at the Canterbury WEA, 59 Gloucester Street.
More about Dynamite
Hide: a manuscript by Rebecca Hawkes, published by ngā pukapuka pekapeka
Launch on Thursday 3 September 6 pm at Little Andromeda. Entry is free, but booking required. Find out more.
More about Hide
Read Christchurch, the dreaming city where a poetry renaissance is taking place by Victoria Meakin in The Press, 22 August 2026
Poetry at WORD Christchurch Festival
WORD Christchurch Festival 2026 is on from 1 to 6 September. Check out the Poetry lineup to see all the good poetry stuff that's happening including:
- Ōtautahi Youth Poetry Slam
- The Poetry Powerhouse
- Sonic Tonic: Words and Sound
- and a poetry workshop with local poet Joanna Preston.
Watch our interview with Apirana Taylor
Last year, 2024's winner of the Prime Minister's Achievement Award for Literature in the category of poetry, Apirana Taylor, appeared at an event at Tūranga. In this interview he talks with librarians Ngapiu and Julia about how came to poetry, how he works, and why he describes his poetry as being "like shaking someone's hand with one hand and slapping them in the face with the other" (35 mins).
Shout out for the NZ Poetry Shelf
If you like poetry, I highly recommend subscribing to poet, author, reviewer and anthologist Paula Green's wonderful NZ Poetry Shelf.
Here are some New Zealand poetry books published in 2025 and 2026, and a selection of the choice titles they contain. National Poetry Day 2026 is on Friday 28 August.
If you happen to walk down Victoria Street, you will be lucky enough to see Ōtākaro to Victoria by Hinemoana Baker.
Even more Poetry
Our poetry page including Aotearoa New Zealand poetry
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