Benefits of membership:
Membership of the New Zealand Poetry Society entitles you to our bimonthly magazine, by email or as hard copy, reduced fees in our annual International Poetry Competition, a reduced price for our annual anthology of poetry, and access to the additional poetry information resources on our members only website page. In addition, members are listed for free if they are available for public readings, workshops or other poetry-related events. Members are also entitled to have their websites and blogs listed on our links page.
The NZPS does not advocate, support or practice unlawful discrimination based on race, religion, age, national origin, language, sex, sexual orientation, or physical disability.
Find out how to join the New Zealand Poetry Society at http://www.poetrysociety.org.nz/join
Our Activities:
- International Poetry Competition - This competition runs from 1 December each year until 31 May the following year. Please check back in December 2009 for the 2010 competition details.
The junior haiku section prizes are sponsored by Asia:New Zealand ; Additional prizes for both adult and junior haiku sections are generously donated by the Jeanette Stace Poetry Trust; Community Post has generously supplied postage for the promotion and administration of the competition.
- Annual Anthology - you can order our 2009 anthology, moments in the whirlwind, edited by Barbara Strang.
- Bi-monthly magazine, a fine line - submit to a fine line by email. Deadline for the next issue: 7 April. Submission guidelines are at: http://www.poetrysociety.org.nz/aboutsubmissionguidelines
- Monthly Meetings - find out details of meetings.
- The Lauris Edmond Memorial Award for Distinguished Contribution to Poetry in New Zealand. We administer this biennial award in collaboration with Lauris Edmond's Literary Estate as a 'Friends of the Lauris Edmond Award' group. In 2009 the award was won by Brian Turner.
- Get in touch with any of our members who are happy to appear at poetry readings or other literary events
- We host an informational and frequently updated website, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Signify.
- web-based networking and workshopping forums for members
- haiku support see our Affiliated Groups programme.
History
The New Zealand Poetry Society (NZPS) was founded in 1973 by Wellington writer Irene Adcock. Since then the NZPS, a registered incorporated society since 1981 and centred in Wellington, has been supporting New Zealand poets and poetry in its many forms.
We operate with the support of our financial members, our meeting venue (The Thistle Inn), Competition sponsors, Creative Communities (Wellington City Council) and a volunteer committee that manages the New Zealand Poetry Society.
Our National Coordinator, Laurice Gilbert, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Society, maintenance of the website, production of the magazine a fine line, and administration of the International Poetry Competition.
Patrons
Dame Fiona Kidman and Vincent O'Sullivan
Committee
President: Laurice Gilbert
Vice-President: Linzy Forbes
Committee Members: Gillian Cameron, Anne Faulkner, Laurice Gilbert, Tim Jones, Alan Wells.
National Coordinator: Laurice Gilbert
