Octagon Poetry Collective's monthly reading

Wednesday, 13th May 2026 7:00 PM

New Athenaeum Theatre in The Octagon, Dunedin

Featured guests for this month are Tunmise Adebowale and Eliana Gray with Nicola Thorstensen as MC.

Tunmise Adebowale is a Nigerian-born New Zealander. Her work has been published in Starling, Landfall, The Big Idea, Arts Makers Aotearoa, Mayhem Literary Journal, The Spinoff, Tarot Poetry Journal, takahē, The Pantograph Punch, Turbine | Kapohau, Newsroom, NZ Poetry Shelf, Verb Wellington, and ReDraft. She writes the Substack 'whispers of oizys'.

Eliana Gray is a writer living in ōtepoti. Their poetry, essays, art criticism and reviews have been widely published and anthologized in Aotearoa and internationally, in places such as: the spinoff, cordite, landfall, Overland, art news Aotearoa and the pantograph punch. They have held residencies in Ōtepoti, Finland and online. They were a co-founder and facilitator of the Ōtepoti Writers Lab. They now run a regular series of writing workshops called, Nest; mentor emerging authors, including February's featured reader John Russell Hodge; and are in process of organising a new writing workshop series in collaboration with UNESCO City of literature and the Athenaeum library. Their first poetry collection, eager to break, was published by Australian publisher Girls on key press in 2019. They are probably almost finished with their second.

Octagon Poetry Collective — Poetry Nights in Dunedin!

Calling all poets, spoken-word lovers, and creative spirits!

The Octagon Poetry Collective brings together local and visiting poets for monthly readings and an open mic in the heart of Dunedin. Whether you're an experienced writer or new to sharing your work, this welcoming session offers a supportive stage to listen, perform, and connect with Ōtepoti’s vibrant literary community.

When: Monthly — second Wednesday of the month at 7pm (check their Facebook/Octagon Collective or Instagram/@octagoncollectivepoetry pages for updates)
Where: New Athenaeum Theatre in The Octagon, Dunedin
What to Expect: Featured guest poets, open mic, warm atmosphere, free entry.

Bring a poem to share or just come and enjoy the words — with drinks and snacks available from the theatre.

All are welcome.

For more information visit facebook.com/octagoncollective

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Caselberg Trust Margaret Egan Cities of Literature Writers Residency

Octagon Poetry Collective's monthly reading