Writing a poem is one of the great human
experiences. It's as if you are singing the whole universe into
being.
- Bill Manhire
Kia ora koutou!
In 2003 Bill Manhire set up the only national poetry
competition for high school students in Aotearoa. Last year we had
to cancel the Award through a lack of funds. This campaign is about
reviving an important literary event for young writers which each
year has attracted more than 300 poets from across the
country.
We're not starting from scratch. We already have the
generous support of Creative New Zealand. But we still have a large
shortfall. With your help we can deliver a full Award, securing the
workshop which is such a vital part of the experience, and
promoting poetry throughout our high schools.
The Award is about much more than a winning poem. English
teachers use the award to generate excitement and activity around
Creative Writing. Ten shortlisted poets are flown to Wellington for
a weekend of workshops with great poets hosted by the International
Institute of Modern Letters. These young writers become ambassadors
for creativity when they return to their schools.
This Award has made a big impact on participants. As
Tim Fraser, Hutt International Boys' School, 2013 runner-up says:
'The National School's Poetry Award was something I never
thought I could place in but I did it, ever hopeful. Getting in the
top ten has much improved my confidence in my own skills. I will
definitely continue to create poetry and certainly this Award has
been a booster towards my belief in my
abilities.'
Students who have been shortlisted in previous Poetry
Awards have gone on to study Creative Writing at tertiary level,
won other national writing prizes for emerging writers (such as the
Sunday Star-Times Short Story Award), and have been published in
national magazines and literary journals including the New Zealand
Listener, North & South, Sport and Turbine. The 2009 winner,
Charlotte Trevella, published a poetry collection with Steele
Roberts that year. Zarah Butcher McGunnigle, whose work was 'Highly
commended' in 2008, published her first book of poems with Hue
& Cry Press in 2014. Students' poems sometimes travel to
unexpected places: the 2013 winner's poem was picked up from the
website by a New Zealand fashion house for use in its 2014
lookbook.
Ruby Solly, from Western Heights High School,
Rotorua, was the 2013 runner-up: 'After I came back
from the poetry workshop I became very committed to school and
writing as I had been given a taste of what it was like to be with
other writers and to see what kind of course or occupation I could
end up in as a poet. The workshop showed me various ways of both
'sparking creativity' and refining my work to make it the best that
it could be. These skills helped me to achieve publication in both
Minarets (literary journal) and Redraft. It is definitely a
highlight of the year for me.'
Teachers, too, have recognised the significance of
this Award. As Vanessa Scott, HOD English, Pakuranga College
writes: 'I believe this Award has lifted the profile
of poetry within the school and shown the school community how
young people can excel in literature and the arts, and that these
achievements are just as valid as those won on a rugby
field.'
Margie McLaren, who teaches at Baradene College, is
also convinced: 'The main benefit is the new
confidence instilled in the students about the value of poetry in a
utilitarian world which does not always attach the significance to
poetry that it deserves . . . The Award is an affirmation of the
many benefits of working with and celebrating language, and the
special ways in which poetry can reflect human experience. The
opportunity of entering for the Award has been a very positive and
rewarding experience.'
We hope you can support us!
Ngā mihi nui,
Damien Wilkins
Director
International Institute of Modern Letters