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Poetry Competition 2024

Published on 01 July 2024

Submission is now open.

Calling all poets!

Are you ready to unleash your inner poet and let your words flow like a river of emotions?

We are thrilled to announce our highly anticipated Poetry Competition opens on Monday, 1 July 2024, where poets from all walks of life can showcase their talent and wax lyrics about their thoughts and emotions.

"Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words." - Robert Frost

The theme this year is "TE AWAKAIRANGI HUTT RIVER" and we are looking forward to reading your poems on it. Shortlisted entries will be published in an anthology and will go in a prize draw to win some awesome prizes!

All levels of poets are welcome to enter, so don't miss out on this incredible opportunity.

Share this with friends and family who are budding or aspiring poets.

Terms and Conditions

All entries must be received by 5pm, 5 August 2024.
Poems must have the theme of 'Te Awakairangi Hutt River'.
All poems must be typed when submitted. Handwritten entries will not be accepted.
Poems must be original work and illustrations can be included.
Poems must not have been submitted to any previous competition or promotion.
Prizes will be awarded in each category.
All online submissions must be uploaded in PDF or WORD format.
In the event of being shortlisted, you must be available to attend the Poetry Awards Night at our Central Library on Friday, 30 August 2024.

Submit my poem

Why should I take part?

Showcasing and refining your writing skills: Participating in a poetry writing competition provides a platform to showcase your unique voice and creative talent. It offers an opportunity to share your thoughts, emotions, and perspectives with a wider audience and can push you to refine your writing abilities, explore new styles and forms, and further develop your craft as a poet.
Networking and building my community: Poetry competitions bring together a diverse community of poets, writers, and literary enthusiasts. By participating, you gain the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for words. Engaging in discussions, exchanging feedback, and building relationships with fellow poets can foster a supportive and inspiring environment.
Win prizes and get published: Poetry competitions often offer prizes, which can be a great incentive for participating. Even if you don't win, being shortlisted will present an opportunity for your work to be published.

Poetry Competition Awards Night

The Poetry Competition Awards Night will be held at the Central Library on Friday, 30 August 2024.

The Children's awards will be held in the Rotary Lounge between 4PM and 5PM.

The Teen and Adult awards will be held in the Rotary Lounge between 6PM and 7.30PM.

In the event of being shortlisted, you MUST be available to attend the Poetry Competition Awards Night. More information will be provided closer to the event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a word limit for entries?

No, there is no word limit. However, your poem must fit on one A4 page (single-sided). This is part of the competition’s terms and conditions.

How many entries can I submit?

As many as you like! There is no submission limit per person.

Can I submit a poem in another language?

Yes, we welcome entries across all world languages. You must also submit an English translation alongside your poem in another language.

Can I submit a picture or artwork alongside my poem?

Yes, you can. Poetry take all sorts of creative forms and we love seeing participants’ different takes on the competition’s theme.

I’m not from Upper Hutt – can I still enter the competition?

Yes, feel free to take part.

However, please know that we ask shortlisted and winning entrants to be available to attend the Poetry Awards Night at our Central Library in Upper Hutt. This is part of the competition’s terms and conditions.

What happens if I am shortlisted? Does my poem get published?

If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to celebrate with us at the Poetry Awards Night held at our Central Library in Upper Hutt. We print a simple booklet with all shortlisted and winning entries, which will be available to entrants and Library customers. You can see digital versions of past booklets here: https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/News/Poetry-Competition-Shortlisted-Winners

If I submit an entry, will the judges give me feedback on my writing?

No, we can’t give detailed feedback and writing advice. Above all, our Poetry Competition is about having fun and encouraging everyone to give poetry a go. If you enjoy writing and would like to connect with others to develop your skills, come along to Upper Hutt Writes, the writing group which meets monthly at our Central Library.