As part of Yarns in Barns 2024, a new Poetry Competition was launched to encourage the expression of creativity and voice through poetry.
The Jan Gerritsen Poetry Competition has been established in memory of Jan’s incredible contribution to literature and writing in the Wairarapa. Launched on National Poetry Day on Friday 23rd August 2024, the inaugural competition was judged by Harry Ricketts, the renowned New Zealand poet and literary scholar.
Entries were invited in any of poetry’s many forms but needed to have a Wairarapa theme, or be written by a Wairarapa resident.
The winners of the 2024 Jan Gerritsen Poetry Competition were:
Terms and conditions:
- The poetry competition is open to residents of the Wairarapa, aged 7 years and above.
- Poems must be original work and illustrations can be included.
- Poems must not have been submitted to any previous competition or promotion. Prizes will be awarded in each category.
- All entries must be accompanied by an entry form and must be submitted by 1pm Saturday 28 September 2024.
- Poems can be submitted online at www.yarnsinbarns.co.nz/poetry or in person Masterton District Library, 54 Queen St, Masterton during opening hours.
- In the event of being shortlisted, finalists will be invited to Poems on the Vine, and if they wish, read their poem aloud in front of the audience.
- For questions or further information about the competition, please contact the Masterton District Library at 54 Queen St or email programmes@library.mstn.govt.nz
In memory of
Jan Gerritsen
Honouring Jan Gerritsen’s incredible contribution to writing and poetry in the Wairarapa.
Judged by
Harry Ricketts
Harry Ricketts is one of NZ’s most respected poets as well as an editor, biographer and literary scholar. He studied at Oxford University and after lecturing in Hong Kong and the UK, was a professor of English at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University. He began writing poetry at school and has 11 published poetry collections on top of many collections of verse, essays and other works of non-fiction. His poetry is defined by dramatic and satiric devices and tones, and is often grounded in personal commentary. His new memoir, First Things, is out now.
