So many exciting events across the country to celebrate National Poetry Day – not just on Friday but throughout the week. I am posting a reading in Poetry Shelf Cafe on Friday for those of us who can’t go to physical events or go on a poetry road trip!

I would love to go to Time Out in Mt Eden to hear: Haro Lee, Tim Wilson, Hebe Kearney, Arielle Walker, Shania Pablo, Ngaio Simmons, Zephyr Zhang, Beth Torrance- Hetherington, Yě Yě, Abby Irwin-Jones, and Roman Sigley.

I would love to pop into Poetry on the Edge: A South Island Celebration and hear New poetry: Victor Billot, Cilla McQueen, Emma Neale, Richard Reeve, plus young poets from local schools. New books: Megan Kitching, Robyn Maree Pickens, Rushi Vyas, Louise Wallace. Collaborative words & sounds: Claire Beynon, S J Mannion, Lola Elvy, Robert Sullivan, Sophia Wilson, Susan Wardell

I would love to eavesdrop on the Poet Laureate Quiz at the HOME cafe,National Library in Wellington on Saturday 26 August 2023, 10am to 12pm. Do you know your poetry .. will bring a team!

And tomorrow I definitely want a seat at: Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems to hear Nick Ascroft, Morgan Bach, James Brown, Anahera Gildea, Tim Jones, Michaela Keeble, Frankie McMillan, Khadro Mohamed, Sarah Scott, Siobhan Harvey and Frances Samuel. The poets will be introduced by Damien Wilkins. Monday 21 August 2023 12.15-1.15pm. Te Papa Marae, Level 4, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington

Events are in big towns small towns big cities small cities, outside inside, and involve so many different poets and so many different approaches and activities.

Inspiring! Nourishing! Connecting!

You can click on events here for details