Te Ngaki o Waiutuutu is excited to present Poetry in the Garden, a relaxed community event of words and kai in our beautiful campus community garden. There'll be kai and chat from 5.30pm, then at 6pm Ray Shipley will share a writing prompt, followed by an opportunity to write (on the prompt or otherwise) in a quiet spot amongst the plants. From 6.30pm-7pm, we'll gather back together to read our writing aloud - a word, a phrase, a stanza, or a whole poem.

Ray Shipley is an Ōtautahi-based poet, library assistant, writing tutor, and comedian. In 2019, Ray was nominated for the Billy T Award, the biggest award for the rising stars of comedy in Aotearoa. Ray is the current Christchurch Poetry Slam Champion, a title they’ve held five times. Their debut poetry chapbook, published by Ngā Pukapuka Pekapeka, was released in November 2025. Since 2020, Ray has been running Late Night Poetry Hour - a celebration of poetry and feelings and staying up past bedtime - monthly at Little Andromeda Theatre.

October 14th, 5.30-7pm.

Free, registration essential.

Te Ngaki o Waiutuutu is located down the stream pathway that links Engineering Rd and Ilam Rd.

Contact the host of Poetry in the Garden - Spring edition