A Big Night In with the New Zealand Poet Laureate

Join us for a wonderful evening of words with New Zealand’s Poet Laureate Robert Sullivan and his guests, poets Amber Esau, Kiri Piahana-Wong, and Ariana Tikao. An evening not to be missed!

A Big Night In is the evening event in the very special literary celebrations for the NZ Poet Laureate in Hawke's Bay. Robert will bring the handcrafted tokotoko he receives from the official ceremony at Matahiwi Marae earlier in the day, his favourite poems and extraordinary friends to this celebration of talent.

We’re thrilled to welcome 2026 Ockham finalist and local poet Nafanua Purcell Kersel (Satupa‘itea, Faleālupo, Aleipata, Tuaefu) as our MC.

Doors open at 7pm.

Presented by Hawke's Bay Readers & Writers Trust and The National Library of New Zealand.

Robert Sullivan is Aotearoa New Zealand’s current Poet Laureate. He belongs to Ngāpuhi (Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Hau / Ngāti Kaharau) and Kāi Tahu (Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki) iwi and is also of Irish descent. His ninth book of poems, Hopurangi / Songcatcher (AUP) was shortlisted for the Mary and Peter Biggs Award at the 2025 Ockham NZ Book Awards. He has won many awards for his poetry, editing, and writing for children.
His poetry speaks to an idealised, empowered New Zealand society for all and addresses the people who live there in the future.
Robert is Associate Professor in Creative Writing at Massey University, and is current President of the NZ Poetry Society / Te Rōpū Toikupu o Aotearoa. He lives in Ōamaru.

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