Celebrating Everest Day with OAR FM's Ajax Banstola

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City Of Literature | Posted: Thursday May 29, 2025

On the 29th of May 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay completed the first ascent of Mount Everest.

Everest Day is a celebration of this remarkable achievement and an opportunity to celebrate the special connection between Nepal andAotearoa.

In celebration of Everest Day, watch OAR FM's Ajax Banstola read his wonderful poem ‘Above the World – Mt Everest’.

Watch here: Ajax_Above the world_Mt Everest.MOV - Google Drive

Ajax's handwritten poem is also making its way to Québec City of Literature's Morrin Centre as part of the Poetry Pen Pals project - an opportunity to connect our vibrant cities through the ongoing exchange of handwritten poems.

A free event to celebrate Everest Day is being held at

St John's Church, 373 Highgate, Roslyn, Dunedin

Saturday 31 May

From 11.30am

All welcome! Please RSVP - more details here:

cityofliterature.co.nz/whats-on/72nd-everestsagarmatha-day-dunedin