2023

A poet, writer, musician, and mystic, Annabelle Pearson uses all of these elements to weave the ineffable through words and sound. She hopes to inspire and invoke connection through her writing and musical creations. Her philosophy is that the dance of existence is to be shared instead of held onto. Oracle.to.origins is where you can find her works on social media.

2022

Friend, poet, and subversively smooth-legged feminist, Sophie Wright believes in irony, resistance, solidarity and human unicorns who surprise and delight. She cares deeply about social justice and enjoys good coffee, kai, kōrero, and the dulcet tones of anyone with something kind and genuine to say. She loves trail running, and can’t go past a salt and vinegar chip and some stand-up comedy, preferably together.

2021

Jade Hodgson comes from Ngāti Pāhauwera, Mohaka, a small rural settlement on the east coast of Aotearoa. She is obsessed with polarities & is a walking juxtaposition. Yuckyum (her instagram alias) describes herself as a permanent daydreamer who loves love, and constantly finds solace in broken hearted people. She has only one hope for her poetry, that she continues to be inspired by the small things, & turn them into great stories.

2020

Pōneke raised, Samoan writer Nafanua Kersel lives in Mangatahi, Hawkes Bay. Here, she raises three free-roam children, adores her ‘aiga and writes about things and stuff - but mostly arts. Poetry is her long time introvert friend whom she has just started introducing to others. Her proudest writer moment to date is fan-girling so hard that she made it onto the back cover of an actual poetry book by her favourite poet.

2019

Gypsy. Goddess. Warrior. Witch. Rosheen FitzGerald speaks from the heart and shoots from the hip. She keeps a rambling home by the ocean, full of children and animals and aroha. She weaves words for pleasure and profit, writes features for BayBuzz, reviews for The Hook, and makes a damn fine cocktail too...

2018

Theo d'Arbois ​is a poet and musician from the Hawkes Bay. He's been writing since the age of 14, inspired by his experiences at the National Youth Drama School. He currently lives in London, where he is pursuing his dream of becoming a full-time musician and videographer. He also thinks dogs are better than cats.

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The Marie Dunningham

Spirit of the Slam Award

2023

Jacklyn is an aspiring poet, Actor and film maker from the grassy lands of Hawkes Bay, Jacklyn or Jackie as everyone knows them by, has been performing in Hawkes Bay, playing Evil Sisters, Mad Hatters and Time Travelers. Their poems range from cheeky gags about chip loving goblins to life loving stories about gay Vampires and gay Warewolves.

2022

Hi my name is Remy, I have lived in Napier most of my life. I like traveling, singing and comedy. I got into poetry which is once a month. For someone that has severe dyslexia and other disabilities, I have found in doing the open poem nights that it is helping to give me a safe space to challenge my dyslexia. Proving that I can write with words.
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I can't wait to see what opportunity the poetry circle has in store for me.

2021

Sophie Watkins

She comes as Sylvia Wrath by pen.
Critical thinking spun into a web of notion to the over emotional. 
Hopelessly romantic words said from the heart.
Art is lived and breathed not created. 
Someone told me my words were poetry, I’m still not so convinced. 

2020

Teddy Coles

Writer of all things poetry, and occasionally fiction. Librarian (they're probably more ink and stories, than human). At home in Hawke's Bay, and wherever you can see the sea. A firm believer that mornings should start with coffee, and that love wins. Aspiring traveller and book writer (they're currently working on both).

2019

Caroline Lolohea

"It was a surprise and such a privilege to receive this award. I entered this competition to see where I can go with it and I loved every minute of it! Poetry is a platform where I can be confident, and I'm glad that I got involved because it's a platform for me to I'm able to express how I feel. My 'Dear Anonymous' poem became a Special Mention! Which was cool! I will continue to write poetry and hope to one day write a book."