Phantom Billstickers Unveils 2025 Poem Poster Season And Celebrates National Poetry Day: A Nationwide Literary Feast
Phantom Billstickers is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated 2025 season of poem posters, set to transform street poster sites across New Zealand over the coming months. This initiative, a cornerstone of Phantom Billstickers commitment to public art and literature, coincides with their ongoing dedication as a key sponsor of Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day, an annual countrywide celebration of words and creativity.
The 2025 poem poster season will showcase works from a stellar line-up of New Zealand's poetic talent, including celebrated poets Ben Brown, Glenn Colquhoun, and newcomer Taylor Grace. Adding further prestige, the collection will also feature powerful contributions from the Ockham Book Awards finalists for the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry, namely C.K. Stead, Richard von Sturmer, Robert Sullivan, and award winner Emma Neale. This diverse selection promises to offer a rich tapestry of perspectives and styles, ensuring there's a poem to resonate with every passerby.
"Poetry on the street is a simple, yet profound way to connect with people. It offers a moment of reflection, a flash of beauty, or a spark of thought in their daily lives," says Robin McDonnell, CEO of Phantom Billstickers. He adds, "As Phantom Billstickers founder and patron of the poems on poster initiative, Jim Wilson, aptly puts it: 'When you put a poem on the street, you’re putting up words straight from the heart, you’re sparking conversations and igniting imaginations.' We believe these poems will do just that.”
Phantom Billstickers' passion for making poetry accessible extends beyond the posters. As the proud sponsor of Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day, held annually on the fourth Friday in August (this year, Friday, August 22nd, 2025), they play a vital role in unleashing the power of poetry across Aotearoa. Events ranging from open mic nights and school initiatives to public displays and live performances will take place nationwide, fostering a vibrant literary landscape. Phantom Billstickers actively supports and promotes these events, ensuring poetry truly pulses throughout our communities.
For decades, Phantom Billstickers has championed the accessibility of art, transforming urban landscapes into impromptu galleries and bringing the power of poetry out of books and into the public eye. The 2025 poem poster season and their continued support of National Poetry Day underscore this enduring commitment, inviting New Zealanders to engage with the beauty and depth of their nation's poetic talent.
Keep an eye out for these captivating poem posters appearing on Phantom Billstickers sites nationwide over the coming months, and mark your calendars for Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day on Friday, August 22nd, 2025, for a nationwide celebration of words.