The art and history of the Haiku

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City Of Literature | Posted: Wednesday Jul 09, 2025

What is three lines of usually un-rhymed words totalling 17 syllables - 5 on first line, 7 in second line then 5 again in the last line? The answer of course? A Haiku poem.

A global search is underway for the best ones, with the New York based Society of Classical Poets launching its annual Haiku Competition.

Evan Mantyk is Editor & President of the Society and joined Culture 101.

Listen here: The art and history of the Haiku | RNZ