NZ Poetry Day

New Zealand's national day of poetry, NZ Poetry Day, is a celebration of this country's unique and vibrant poetic voice - whether it is odes, myths and legends, serious social commentary or just plain good fun. Each year on NZ Poetry Day thousands of people gather throughout the country to listen, recite, read and participate in poetry related events and activities.

Supported by New Zealand Post and Creative New Zealand, the excitement and fun of NZ Poetry Day provides a platform for new and emerging New Zealand poets, makes poetry accessible to all, and broadens and strengthens the appeal of our own distinctive poetic voice. The day also heightens the profile of the three books selected as finalists in the Poetry category of the New Zealand Post Book Awards.

There's no doubt that poetry is popular. Findings from Creative New Zealand's survey on arts participation show that over one month 205,000 New Zealand adults read poetry - an activity ranked 10th out of 35 arts activities. Over a year, reading poetry is among women's top 10 arts activities; it's in the top 10 for the 18 to 24 years group and for 60+ years; and in the top 10 for New Zealand's Pacific Islands people.

Enquiries are welcome from anyone who wishes to organise an event in their local town or city. To register your interest in organising an event for NZ Poetry Day, please email Siobhan Harvey, the National Coordinator, siobhanhrvy@gmail.com.

Seed funding is available for a limited number of events, on application.