Our People

Dame Fiona Kidman

One of New Zealand’s best-loved poets, Dame Fiona has been a longstanding and valued supporter of the New Zealand Poetry Society. Visit Dame Fiona Kidman’s website to find out more about her work.

Cadence Chung

Managing Editor

Cadence Chung is a poet, composer, and singer currently studying at the New Zealand School of Music. Her nationally bestselling chapbook anomalia was released in 2022 with Tender Press, and her anthology of young artists, Mythos, was released in 2024 with Wai-te-ata Press. Her next book, Mad Diva, will be released in April 2025 with Otago University Press. She also performs as a classical soloist, presents on RNZ Concert, and co-edits Symposia Magazine, a literary magazine for young New Zealanders.

Dr. Robert Sullivan

President

Robert Sullivan (Ngāpuhi and Kāi Tahu) has won awards for his poetry, editing, and writing for children, including the 2022 Lauris Edmond Memorial Award for a distinguished contribution to New Zealand poetry. Tunui Comet is his eighth collection of poetry. His book Star Waka has been reprinted many times. Robert is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Massey University. He is a great fan of all kinds of decolonisation.

Sophia Wilson

Assistant Editor

Sophia Wilson is based in Otago. An arts graduate, mother of three, and former mental health worker, she is the recipient of a number of awards for poetry.  Her poetry collection Sea Skins, was joint winner of the Flying Island Manuscript Prize for Emerging Poets and was published by Flying Island Books / Cerberus Press in 2023.

Kim Martins

Administrator

Kim is a writer and poet based in Northland. After a career in law and education, she took up writing again in 2016 and has since been published in various journals and won writing contests, including the 2020 NZPS International Poetry Competition Haiku section. She has published five novels and a poetry collection.

Email Kim at info@poetrysociety.org.nz for all general enquiries.

Shane Hollands

Vice-President

Shane Hollands is a veteran of the New Zealand performance poetry scene. He is well-known for his innovative work with music of differing genres from electronica to metal, and his efforts to give other poets a platform to perform; he established performance poetry collective The Literatti, and the NZ national celebration of beat poetry, The Kerouac Effect. He was one half of the art-music duo The Beautiful Losers, and now regularly tours the country as the front-man for jazz-beat poetry band, Freaky Meat.

Julianne Exton

Treasurer

Julianne lives overlooking the western fringe of the Auckland Harbour in Beach Haven with her husband. After a lifetime working in Educational Leadership, Management and Charitable she has stepped away to clear space for new creative pursuits including poetry writing, mosaic art, travel and mentoring.

Sarah Scott

Reviews Editor