NZPS International Poetry Competition 2025

Our popular annual competition is now OPEN and will close at midnight Aotearoa New Zealand time on May 31, 2025.

Who are the 2025 judges? Go here to find out.

HOW DO I ENTER?

You can enter in the following categories:

Open 18+ years. No theme.

Open Junior 17 years and under. The theme is MUSIC, which the poet can interpret. For example,  poems about instruments, melodies, or the experience of playing music, reflections on a specific song or musician, or genre, the rhythm of everyday life as music, the evolution of music and how it shapes society.

Haiku 18+ years

Haiku Junior 17 years or under. Here is a handy teacher’s guide for writing haiku. The 2025 haiku junior judge, Jenny Fraser, has also made available two quick guides for senior students and juniors.

School groups – Haiku Junior and Open Junior

HOW DO I ENTER THE COMPETITION?

To reduce administration and provide a more streamlined process, we use a submission manager. If you haven’t used Submittable before, you’ll be prompted to sign up for an account, which is a free and simple process. 

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO ENTER THE COMPETITION

WHERE ARE THE COMPETITION RULES?

On Submittable – in a drop-down menu (called Guidelines) next to the orange Submit button. 

HOW MUCH IS IT TO ENTER?

The cost to enter each category (either one poem or multiple) is listed under Guidelines (next to the Submit button). You can enter as many poems as you wish.

WHO CAN I CONTACT?

If you have any problems, please email info@poetrysociety.org.nz