Poetry New Zealand, generally known as Poetry NZ, began in 1951 with the publication of Louis Johnson's "Poetry New Zealand Yearbook". It is therefore this country's oldest and most distinguished poetry magazine, but is nevertheless interested in new and younger writers trying to have their work recognized. It also contains reviews and articles concerning poetry in New Zealand and elsewhere.
Since Johnson ceased his editorship in the 1960s, Poetry New Zealand has been edited by some of New Zealand's most distinguished poets and academics, including Frank McKay (James K. Baxter's biographer), Elizabeth Caffin (currently Managing Editor of Auckland University Press), Riemke Ensing, Grant Duncan, Elizabeth Smithers, Brian Turner and Harry Ricketts. The present series has, since 1993, been edited by Alistair Paterson – a well-known New Zealand poet, novelist, anthologist, editor and literary critic. Issues 35 – 37 have been edited by poet Owen Bullock. The magazine's policy is to support poetry and poets both in New Zealand and overseas. Each issue features 15 to 20 pages of poetry from a developing or established poet in order to draw attention to that poet's work. The rest of the issue is comprised of a selection of poetry from New Zealand and abroad, as well as essays, reviews and general criticism.
While New Zealand poets receive the most attention, PNZ is always looking for high quality work from other countries. Overseas poets printed in PNZ have included: Robert Creeley, Charles Bukowski, Charles Bernstein, Eugene Dubnov, Virgil Suarez, Tom Clark, Libby Hart, Les Murray, August Kleinzahler, Wanda Coleman, Blair Ewing and many others. In order to facilitate subscriptions and increase overseas interest in the magazine, Poetry New Zealand opened an office in Palm Springs, California, in 1998. For further details on this address, please see the Subscribe page.
If you're interested in submitting to PNZ, please see our Submit page. Any other enquiries should be directed to the webmaster.
Our personnel are as follows.
Editor: Alistair Paterson
Publisher: Puriri Press / Brick Row
Cover design: Bill Wieben
Typesetting & printing: John Denny
Website: Warren Olds, Studio Ahoy