Laureates Line Up: A Poetry Reading

By National Library of New Zealand | Posted: Friday Oct 31, 2025

Part of National Library 60th Birthday series. Thursday 27 November 2025, 6pm to 8pm, Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken St, Thorndon, Wellington.

Eleven New Zealand Poets Laureate line up for poetry, with Fergus Barrowman as MC, in a key event for the National Library’s 60th birthday celebration.

A rare gathering of our most celebrated poets

Come along to ‘Laureates line up’, a poetry reading event featuring nearly all living New Zealand Poets Laureate.

It’s been almost 30 years since John Buck created the Te Mata Estate Winery Laureate Award and Bill Manhire became our first Laureate. Both will be there to support an outstanding line-up of poets: Elizabeth Smither, Jenny Bornholdt, Michele Leggott, Cilla McQueen, Ian Wedde, Karl Stead, Selina Tusitala Marsh, David Eggleton, Chris Tse, and Robert Sullivan.

Fergus Barrowman, publisher at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University Press, will MC the event. There will also be special readings to honour the late Vincent O’Sullivan and Brian Turner, shared by Vincent’s son Dominic and Brian’s partner, writer Jillian Sullivan.

This free event promises to be a highlight of Wellington’s poetry scene in 2025.

About the New Zealand Poet Laureate Award

More details: Laureates line up: A poetry reading | National Library of New Zealand