The Great Afternoons Poetry Day Competition

Today is National Poetry Day .. which means two things .. the first being that across the country bookshops, libraries & schools are hosting readings, workshops and performances. The second, it means the return of the Afternoons Poetry Competition. We give you 6 words, and you've got until 2 pm to come up with a 6 line poem that includes all of the words. The words are: Nugget Long Swelter Seaside Engine Beginning The winner will take home a copy of the 2026 Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook. And making a return to judging this year is poet Johanna Emeney.