My home province of Canterbury, with the fair city of Christchurch at its heart, is renowned for having one of the most vibrant and enduring poetry scenes in New Zealand. A major part of that scene is the annual ‘Poetry in Performance’ events put on by the Canterbury Poets’ Collective (CPC).

Now, the CPC are running a Boosted (Te Tumu Toi/NZ Arts Foundation backed) crowdfunding campaign to fund the reading seasons for the next five (5) years. They have until September 30 to raise the funds.

If that’s enough information for you, and you’re keen to leap to the donation part already, go here:

Boosted: ‘Poetry in Performance’ — Canterbury Poets’ Collective

If you want to know more, including why I’m supporting it, please read on. 😀

What’s Great About the CPC Poetry Seasons

The reading series — either autumn or spring, and sometimes both — have been running for many years and involve featuring established guest poets, including bringing nationally established and emerging poetic voices from other parts of the country. They also include an Open Mic where anyone can read their work.

One of many poetry readings, with 3 winners of the PM's Award for Poetry in the front row: l-r. 
Brian Turner (2009); Tusiata Avia (2023); James Norcliffe - obscured (2022); Frankie McMillan, 
seated between Tusiata & James is also a nationally recognized poet

Back in the days when I was starting out on my creative journey, I felt the CPC delivered (and continues to deliver) on:

• Providing a space in which to hear nationally recognized poets read their work, which put simply, was inspirational;
• Through the accompanying Open Mic I got to hear other emerging voices and also to test and share my own work
• Be part of an established and supportive community, which opened doors to other ways of developing my poetry, e.g. through other readings, crit groups, and courses

I still attend the CPC poetry readings when I can and still obtain those same benefits. I also believe that CPC is a signifcant reason, if not the reason, why poetry in Canterbury is such a vibrant art and one that is continuing to grow, year on year.

Joanna Preston: 2022 Ockham National Book Award for Poetry — & a CPC stalwart

Ready to donate already? 😉 Here’s that link again:

Boosted: ‘Poetry in Performance’ — Canterbury Poets’ Collective

But herewith the specific goals:

The Boosted Campaign Goals

Poet laureate, Chris Tse, has been a CPC guest

• Travel and Accommodation: CPC are committed to bringing diverse voices from across Aotearoa New Zealand to Christchurch. Donors support will cover travel and accommodation for the out-of-town poetry guests (or ‘stars’ 😀 ) for those next 5 years.
• Reading Fees: CPC strongly believe in paying the guest readers a fee for their appearance*. Your support will ensure all of the feature poets are paid fairly for their performances.
• Graphic Design and Signage: To keep each season vibrant and engaging, your contributions will fund the design of promotional materials that showcase the events, keeping poetry in the public eye and helping grow the art.

A poetry in performance poster from 2016

Donate & Spread The Word

As an author and poet who feels that I have benefited greatly from CPC’s ‘Poetry In Performance’ events and supportive  community over many years, I am donating to this cause.

But $20,000 is a significant sum to raise in just a month. So I would love it if you felt able to make a donation, too. Yep, here’s that link again — big & bold this time. 😀

Boosted: ‘Poetry in Performance’ — Canterbury Poets’ Collective

Remember it closes on September 30 — and although CPC are at 55% raised currently, I’m “pretty sure” that if they don’t make it, they don’t get anything. So if you are able to give, whether a little or a lot, to reach the $20,000 that—and you!—will be awesome.

And Please, Spread The Word!

Whether you are able to support financially, or would love to but can’t right now, please consider sharing our campaign with your family, friends, and wider community. As well as on whatever social media channel(s) you favour.

CPC are boosting their campaign via their Facebook or Instagram with not only updates but a few surprises promised as well, so if that’s your social, too, maybe check them out. 🙂

“Whether an established poet testing out a new piece, a newcomer just discovering (or re-discovering) this thing called poetry, or simply someone who loves to hear words worked well, the CPC ‘Poetry in Performance’ readings provide our community with a warm, welcoming space to develop their art, and to hear – and be heard by – some of the most incredible poets from around Aotearoa New Zealand.” — CPC

Boosted: ‘Poetry in Performance’ — Canterbury Poets’ Collective

Michelle Leggott — former NZ poet laureate & CPC guest

*I also strongly support this principle.