Poets from across New Zealand gather to compete in the high-energy poetry event that is taking over the world. Since
2011, Aotearoa’s national poetry slam competition has gathered the winners of regional events to crown a National Poetry
Slam Champion.
“From fast-paced rap to heart-breaking love poetry (or more puns than recommended) this show will change your opinions
on what poetry can be”
This year there have been regional competitions in Auckland, Hamilton, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch,
Dunedin and Queenstown. It's been a strong year for Slam in New Zealand, with many smaller events popping up at schools
across the country.
The current NZ Slam Champ is Daisy Lavea-Timo. Daisy says she stands on the shoulders of Tulafale-Orators from the shores of Samatau, Saipipi and Vailu’utai in
Samoa. Born and raised in South Auckland, Daisy is a proud Epsom Girls Grammar alumni who now lives in Christchurch.
Daisy has taught English at Cashmere High School, performs at corporate events, and runs Spoken Word Poetry workshops in
schools, youth groups, community organizations and detention centers. She knows words have the power to explore who we
are, where we come from, to make sense of the world around us, to heal and to describe the future we want to create.
“Poetry is all around you. Poetry is water.” - Daisy Lavea-Timo
The New Zealand Poetry Slam will take place on November 3rd in Christchurch.