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Published on 29 August 2025
Rhyme and shine! We’re thrilled to announce the winning and shortlisted entries from this year’s Poetry Competition here at Upper Hutt Libraries.
Clever reverse poems, classic odes with masterful rhyming, beautiful bi-lingual writing. Appreciation for the little moments, walks down memory lane, unforgettable special occasions.
We couldn’t have hoped for a more fascinating, heartfelt, and diverse round of entries for the 25th anniversary of the competition.
A staggering 160 entries were submitted, making it a seriously tough task for our judging panel to decide on the finalists and winners.
Huge congratulations to all entrants: you took the leap and followed that special call of inspiration! Thank you for sharing your writing and inviting your readers to dream, reflect, remember, and to delight in the playfulness of language and poetry.
Here’s to the next 25 years of fantastic local poetry – we can’t wait to see where your next leap of imagination and creativity will take you!
Find a comfortable spot, settle down.
It's time for your own little poetry moment, with great homegrown writing – line by line, and between the lines.
Winners
First place: I Came Early upon the Morning by Moira Hansen Second place: Aotearoa by Chrissy McCawe Third place: Soul Bared by Clara Haines
Shortlist
Connection by Keara Symmans Beauty in a Graveyard by Jane Mair Celebrate My Firsts by John Dwyer You’re the One in Charge by Toni Dines Above by Kat Joseph The First by Wiremu Tuhiwai A New Beginning by Neil Pates
Special mentions
A Celebration of Life by Russell Chamany Loving Home by Victoria Buchanan Weekend Celebration by Abra Sandi King
Read the entries here (Teen and Adult categories).(PDF, 405KB)
Winner: The Greatest Treasure by Dylan McGregor
First place: Hallows Eve by Milo Melrose Second place: Celebrating (A Reverse Poem) by Paris Yiannoutsos Third place: Everyday Celebrations by Alisa Khrypko
What Makes Me, ME! by Mia Skaria Celebration of Flight by Sophia Le Pōhutukawa, Tīramarama Mai by Pippi-Rose Waitere Nature’s Beauty by Eve Pilcher Matariki Poem by Aria Chatley Different Celebrations by Ramona Robinson Waitī and Waita by Olive Archer-Braddock
Read the entries here (Children's category).(PDF, 366KB)
If you've caught the poetry bug, come along to our monthly Poetry Discussion Group or continue your writing journey at Upper Hutt Writes.
And for those times when you need a spark of imagination, want to gather ideas, or simply need to revel in someone else's writing: our poetry collection combines the best of past masters and current trailblazers.
Read, write, enjoy. Poetry is for everyone.