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This is a list of poetry events, workshops, groups and readings that meet regularly in centres and venues throughout New Zealand. The NZPS welcomes reports on poetry events for its magazine a fine line. For submission guidelines, please go to http://www.poetrysociety.org.nz/aboutsubmissionguidelines

Updated April 2010. If you belong to a group not listed here, or your entry has been deleted because I was unable to contact you via the details supplied, or you need to change the information on show, please send an e-mail to the National Coordinator.

Auckland |  Christchurch | Coromandel | Cromwell | Golden Bay | Hamilton | Hawke's Bay | Kapiti | Lyttleton | Marlborough | Nelson | Palmerston North | Picton | Rangitikei | Rotorua | Tauranga | Timaru | Wanaka | Wellington | West Coast | Whakatane

AUCKLAND                                                                                                             

  • Poetry Live Auckland Book yourself in to read at Poetry Live, at the Thirsty Dog, 469 Karangahape Rd, Auckland City. Tuesdays 8 p.m. Guest poets, guest musician & open mike. Contact: MCs Christian, Rachael, Penny, Murray or Miriam by email: poetrylive@gmail.com, putting the MC's name in the subject line. Visit Poetry Live's website: http://www.poetrylive.co.nz/

  • Open Mic Night, Waiatarua 7-10pm every 2nd Wednesday. Free entry. Elevation Café, 473 Scenic Drive. Poets, singer/songwriters, comedians - original performers encouraged, solos, duos & small ensembles only (sorry no drum kits). PA, mics, stands & percussion supplied, 3 items (max 15 mins) per performer. Performers prize draw. To pre-book a spot, E: fionamcewen@clear.net.nz or enter on the night. For more info or restaurant bookings, T: Elevation (09) 814 1919; E: info@elevationcafe.co.nz

  • 306 Open Mic Night Standing invitation every Wednesday night 8-11pm 306 Bar & Bistro, 306 Onehunga Mall. Poets, Musos, Singers, Poets, Comedians, other performers... the main focus is the acoustic guitar players & singer / songwriters, but all performers welcome. There is a small in house PA System with 2 microphones. Other than that, musicians should bring their own gear. Free entry.

CHRISTCHURCH

  • Airing Cupboard Women Poets meet at 10 a.m. every 2 weeks at South Christchurch Library, 66 Colombo Street Street. Ring Judith Walsh ph. 03 342 9881 or Barbara Strang ph. 03 376 4486.

  • Women on Air with Ruth Todd and Morrin Rout on Plains FM 96.9 in Christchurch - every Saturday at 10am for interviews & news - includes a monthly slot on Women and Poetry, with Helen Lowe. www.womenonair.org.nz

  • The Canterbury Poets' Collective Autumn season is held at Madras Cafe Books, 165 Madras Street, Christchurch on Wednesdays (March-April), starting at 6.30pm ($5 entry). The 2010 Season is the 20th Anniversary of these readings, running from 17 March to 5 May. See the Coming Events page for specific guests during the season's readings.

  • Catalyst Poetry Open Mic: First Wednesday of the month, at Al's Bar, 31 Dundas Street, Christchurch. Website: www.catalystnz.blogspot.com

  • Poetry for Pudding: Meets from 7pm - 8.30pm on the third Friday of the month, in store at Borders Bookshop, Rotherham Street, Riccarton. This is a relaxed supportive environment where poets of all levels are welcome. Bring a favourite poem - yours, or another's.

  • Small White Teapot, a group for those interested in haiku and related forms, meets 7.00p.m. monthly, 3rd Tuesday. Beginners welcome. Contact Barbara Strang ph. 03 376 4486

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COROMANDEL

  • Thames Poets Circle, co-hosted by Greg Brimblecombe and Jill Steadman, meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 7.00pm. Venue: The Nectar Lounge, 740 Pollen Street, Thames. For more information please contact Greg on 07 868 9947 or email: greg_b@clear.net.nz

CROMWELL

  • Cromwell Writers meet on the last Tuesday of the month in the homes of members on a shared basis. Contact Tom Llandreth ph. 03 4451352.

GOLDEN BAY

  • The Golden Bay Live Poets Society has a monthly Performance Night at the famous Mussel Inn Bush Café at Onekaka. (For dates go to Mussel Inn.) Visiting poets are most welcome. For news of meetings contact convenor Joe Bell at gbaybell@xtra.co.nz ph. 03 524 8146.

HAMILTON

  • Poets Alive meet on the last Friday of the month from 7 - 9p.m. in the LAIN Building, University of Waikato Main Campus. Contact: Celia Hope at: poetsalivenz@gmail.com

HAWKE'S BAY

  • The Hawke's Bay Live Poets' Society meets at 8 p.m. on the second Monday of each month (except January) at the Hawkes Bay Exhibition Centre, 201 Eastbourne Street East, Hastings. Contact Keith Thorsen ph. 06 870 9447.

KAPITI

  • Poetry to the People meets at Lembas Cafe, Poplar Ave, on the last Sunday of the month, at 4pm. A guest poet is featured. Snacks and beverages are available, and the entry price of $5 covers the poet's koha and general expenses. Any left over is paid to the cafe as a tip, for staying open late for the event. Contact is Gill Ward email: gillii@paradise.net.nz

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LYTTLETON

  • The Catalyst poetry open mic. Tuesdays at 8pm. Wunderbar, Lyttelton. BYO poetry, creative writing - all welcome

MARLBOROUGH

  • Poetry Corner: an informal group for lovers of poetry; meets between 6pm and 8.30pm on the first Monday of each month, at various locations. Readers, writers, listeners and performers are all welcome. Come and go as you please during the allotted time. For more information please contact June Bowen, at 03 577 9035.

NELSON

  • The Nelson Live Poets Society meets on the fourth Monday of every month at The Free House, 95 Collingwood Street; 6pm for a 6.30 start. Open mic. Contact: marybell@ts.co.nz

PALMERSTON NORTH

  • Stand Up Poetry. Open mic poetry evening and special guest poet. First Wednesday of the month, 7-9 pm, Sound & Vision Zone, Level 1, Central Library. Organiser:  Helen Lehndorf. For more information on this and other happenings, contact (06) 351 4100; email: promotions@pncc.govt.nz; website www.citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz Contact person at the library is Jenny Veller.

PICTON

  • Picton Poets (founded by Ernest Berry in 1994) meet at The Cottage 75a Waikawa Road Picton at 9.50a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Contacts: Ernie Berry at: bluberry@xtra.co.nz ph. 03 573 6881, or Susan Kerr at susanvrm@mlb.planet.gen.nz ph 03 573 8236..

RANGITIKEI

  • If you live in or near Marton (Rangitikei), and are interested in being part of a poetry group, contact Elizabeth Coleman at c-e.coleman@xtra.co.nz ph. 06-3278106.

ROTORUA

  • The Rotorua Mad Poets meet every Wednesday night at the Rotorua Public Library at 6:00 pm. All poets and general public welcome to attend. Light refreshments available afterwards. 7.30-9.30 p.m.
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TAURANGA

  • Tauranga Writers: A self-help group established over 40 years ago. We get together regularly to exchange experience and expertise, discuss tactics and techniques and to share work in progress for constructive criticism. We meet twice monthly on the first Thursday at 7.30 pm and the third Sunday at 2 pm at Tauranga Environment Centre, 12 Elizabeth Street. Contact: Jenny Argante ph 07 576 3040, mob 027 316 31 93, or email jenny.argante@gmail.com New members always welcome - but please note: our main intention is writing for publication.

TIMARU

  • For poetry events, or to contact Timaru or South Canterbury poets, contact Karalyn Joyce at karalynjoyce@xtra.co.nz ph. 03 6147858.

WANAKA

  • Poetic Justice Wanaka: Wanaka poets meet monthly at Kai Whaka Pai, Ardmore St, for a dose of Poetic Justice. All welcome to read, all welcome to listen. Vote for the best poem of the night - winner gets a bottle of Olssens Wine. For meeting dates and times see http://poeticjusticewanaka.wordpress.com/

 WELLINGTON

  • The New Zealand Poetry Society Inc holds poetry readings on the third Monday of the month, from February to October. In November we launch our annual poetry anthology. The meeting starts at 7.30pm with an open mic, and features an invited guest poet. The meeting is open to the public and entry is $5 (Members $3). The venue is the historic Thistle Inn at 3 Mulgrave St, CBD, and you can find out the current month's guest poet at http://www.poetrysociety.org.nz/poetrynews#nzps

    Find out about joining the NZPS here.

  • Poetry @ The Ballroom: 4pm - 6pm on the 3rd Sunday of every month at the Ballroom Cafe, cnr Riddiford St and Adelaide Rd, Newtown. Featuring an open mic, Guest Poet and a musical interlude. For information contact: Neil Furby, ballroompoetrycafe@gmail.com or L. E. Scott, (04) 801-7773 (daytime)

  • The ReadStrange Writers' Group is an informal, supportive writing group that meets fortnightly at private residences around Wellington. Our group has been running for more than three years with a diverse membership pool and one collective anthology. We meet Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm, and engage a range of styles and writing genre, including poetry and short fiction. If you are interested in joining please email Lee Sentes at lee.sentes@gmail.com with a short sample of your writing.

WEST COAST

  • Greymouth: Word of Mouth Live Poets meet each month by arrangement at Franks Cafe, 115 Mackay Street, Greymouth. A friendly, informal gathering of anyone and everyone interested in poetry. All welcome. Convenor: Greg O'Connell www.gregoconnell.com

WHAKATANE

  • Live Poets meet at 7.30pm on the third Monday of the month, in the home of a member. Contact: Margaret Wilson at 07 3072308 (there is an answerphone).

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