Aotearoa’s love of poetry comes alive today as Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day bursts into action, with  more than 100 events igniting imaginations across the motu. 

This year, our rangatahi are at the beating heart of the celebrations. Schools everywhere are making poetry visible and vibrant: from inventive library  displays as part of the Great Poetry Display-Off Challenge to hands-on activities that move verse beyond the page. Young people are crafting blackout poems, conquering scavenger hunts, penning and performing slam pieces and filling zines with their own original work. Even the youngest tamariki are joining in, with storytimes taking a rhyming twist. 

“Seeing rangatahi take hold of poetry in their  own voices is one of the most powerful aspects of this day,” says Gill Hughes, national coordinator for Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day. “They’re not just studying poetry, they’re performing it, reinventing it, and sharing it  in ways that connect across generations. It shows poetry’s future in Aotearoa is in very strong hands.” 

While schools may be lighting the fuse, the celebration sweeps across Aotearoa bringing fresh voices and  connection to communities everywhere. 

How People Can Take Part 

• Explore the Calendar of Events, featuring open mics, poetry slams, book launches, workshops, and readings  across the country. 

• Contribute to the movement by leaving poems in public spaces—whether it’s a haiku on a napkin, a favourite line  in a lunchbox, or a verse posted on a lamppost. 

• Share the poetry experience online by posting a favourite poem, recording a personal reading, or sharing images  of poetry displays—using the hashtag #NZPoetryDay so the entire nation can join in. 

• Head to your local bookstore or library to discover a new collection or browse the curated BookHub Aotearoa  poetry selection online. 

See more on https://www.nzbookawards.nz/national-poetry-day/