We talked to Helen about poetry that has been meaningful to her over the years, and why poetry isn’t just for weddings and funerals.

Is there anything about NZ poetry that sets it apart do you think?

I think our poetry is often very funny. I love the self-awareness and self-deprecating humour in a lot of New Zealand poetry.

Regarding poets who write about the natural world from their lived experience, I think New Zealand poets have a way of enmeshing ‘nature’ and self in their work which speaks to how interconnected many of us (New Zealanders) are with our environment.

I could be biased, but I also think New Zealand poetry is of a consistently high standard.