It's National Poetry Day!

Today we celebrate the poems and poets of New Zealand. We hope you will too.

Poetry in the air

We're presenting readings by five of the best Wellington poets: Anna Jackson, Magnolia Wilson, John Dennison, James Brown, and Ashleigh Young. Bring your lunch and get in early to make sure you get a seat.

For folk further south, there is Word Christchurch where Poet Laureate C.K. Stead will be reading with Bill Manhire, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Fiona Kidman, Chris Tse, and special guest Ali Cobby Eckermann.

There are over 100 other events happening all around the country. See what's happening and get involved.

Poetry on the page

C.K. Stead has also published a response to the First World War centenary, taking the persona of Catullus, unwilling to celebrate death in battle.

Our Reading Room has been filled with publications by New Zealand poets, and we're inviting you to come in a spend some time reading our selections. You'll find it on level one of the Wellington building.

Photo by Alicia Tolley.

And of course, get into your local library and pull a volume down from the shelves.