Win cash prizes and literary clout.
Robbie Burns is far more than just a statue in Dunedin's Octagon. In the late 18th Century, Burns was an absolute rock-star of a poet and to this day the Dunedin Burns Society honours the famous Scottish literary export with a poetry competition and a Burns' night dinner.
This year's competition is open from September 1 - 30 November and the theme is 'From Heather to Harakeke: Poetry of land, people and belonging.' Poets are encouraged to interpret this theme as they wish.
Prizes are $500 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third. The winner also receives a complementary ticket to the Burns' night dinner and has their poem published in the ODT.
Before the exam pressures ensue, we encourage you to get writing! More details on submission closer to the date.
If you've already got a poem ready to go, you could submit to the Ōtepoti Youth Poetry Competition which closes on July 2. Placegetters will be contacted and invited to read or have their poems read at a special prize-giving at the Dunedin Public Library. There are categories for students from Years 7-8, Years 9-10 and Years 11-13 with a Te Reo Māori section for Years 9-10 and Years 11-13. For more information, please see the flyer in the images below.
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