Ōtautahi - Christchurch Poetry Slam - THE RULES - 2026

 

Ōtautahi Poetry Slam - THE RULES - update 2026

Sign-up is on the night only - places are limited so get there early. 

 

Please note: to be in the Grand Slam, poets must enter the Preliminary round and make it into the top 10.

Update to The Rules: Please note the additional rule governing the use of material generated by artificial intelligence.

 

Rules for NZ Poetry Slam

• 3 minutes or less with no minimum time (10 second grace period before points deduction).

• Time starts when poet speaks, however while poets can have time to settle and adjust microphone etc, this time is not limitless; ideally a poet should start before 10 seconds.

• Original (i.e. your own) poems only. This means written by YOU, not generative artificial intelligence or other people.

• The use of poems generated either in part, or wholly by A.I. is grounds for disqualification of that poem. Monitoring will be used.

• No props no music no costumes (i.e. clothing related to the content of your poem).

• In the case of a tie, a slam-off will be required.

• Random draw, for performance order.

 
Judging and scoring:

• 5 Audience Judges (chosen by MC and/or organiser) display score cards 0-10 (Decimal points allowed).

• Top and bottom scores drop off and the remaining 3 scores is the total.

• If a Poet goes over the grace period, the MC or Timekeeper will ask scorer to mark down points after the judges score… (Half a point penalty for every 10 seconds over time).

• After 4 minutes the MC can shut down the poet.

• 'Sacrificial Poet' (non-competing) to start the night, to help calibrate scores.

• Slams are equally about writing, performance and audience response.

• Slammers should have at least 3 poems, as there will be three rounds for the NZ Poetry Slam.
  …

As always, remember: the point is the poetry not the points!

 

Ōtautahi Poetry Slam 2026 - Get Ready!

 

In association with WORD Christchurch, Catalyst presents:

Ōtautahi Poetry Slam 2026

It's nearly Slam season again and this year the Preliminary Slam takes place on Wednesday 26th August, 7pm at Space Academy, 371 St Asaph St. Door sales only $15.

Then the Grand Final takes the stage as part of WORD Christchurch 2026 festival on Thursday 3rd September, 7pm also at Space Academy. Door sales $15.

The prelim sees the open field go toe-to-toe to find the top 10 for the grand final. Then on the 3rd September, the top 10 will be throwing poems to find the 2026 Ōtautahi Poetry Slam champion and the right to represent the city at the NZ Poetry Slam later this year. 

Who will lift the mightiest pen? 

Sign-up for the prelim is strictly first come, first served on the night. Or join the audience and be part of the judging. Proceeds go towards travel for the NZ Poetry Slam and Catalyst literary arts journal.

Rules of participation can be found here. Please note the update this year - we explicitly prohibit the use of material generated using generative artificial intelligence. This will be monitored. Why not sharpen your mind and your pencil instead.

Ōtautahi Christchurch Poetry Slam 2025 - Get Ready!

 

Announcing the dates of the 2025 Ōtautahi Poetry Slam.

Prelim is Wednesday 3rd September, 7pm

Grand Slam Wednesday 10th September, 7pm

Door Entry: $15 both nights (participants free!) 

The top 10 entrants from the Preliminary Heat will progress through to the Grand Slam and the chance to be crowned Slam Champ of Ōtautahi 2025. The Champ and runner-up will have entry into the NZ Poetry Slam in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, dates TBC (November).

IMPORTANT: check out the rules of the Poetry Slam here. 

Incoming!

 

It's Grand Slam time! Ōtautahi Poetry Slam 2024

 This week the top 10 from the preliminary heat come out swinging in the Grand Final at Space Academy.

Who will be the 2024 Ōtautahi Poetry Slam Champion?

With a line-up that includes former Slam Champs, runners-up and Slam veterans it's surely going to be a poetically fierce feast - what a treat! Join us for the spectacle and your door sales contribute to travel for our Champ to contest the NZ Poetry Slam in Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland this November.

Ōtautahi Poetry Slam - Grand Final

Wednesday 25th September, 7pm

Space Academy, 371 St Asaph St

Door charge: $15

Ōtautahi - Christchurch Poetry Slam - THE RULES

 

 

Here are the official rules of the Christchurch Poetry Slam as per the NZ Poetry Slam.

Sign-up is on the night only - places are limited so get there early. 

 

Please note: to be in the Grand Slam, poets must enter the Preliminary round and make it into the top 10.

Rules for NZ Poetry Slam

• 3 minutes or less with no minimum time (10 second grace period before points deduction).

• Time starts when poet speaks, however while poets can have time to settle and adjust microphone etc, this time is not limitless; ideally a poet should start before 10 seconds.

• Original (i.e. your own) poems only.

• No props no music no costumes (i.e. clothing related to the content of your poem).

• In the case of a tie a slam-off will be required.

• Random draw, for performance order.

 
Judging and scoring:

• 5 Audience Judges (chosen by MC and/or organiser) display score cards 0-10 (Decimal points allowed).

• Top and bottom scores drop off and total of remaining 3 scores is the total.

• If Poet goes over grace period MC or Timekeeper to ask scorer to mark down points after the judges score… (Half a point penalty for every 10 seconds over time).

• After 4 minutes the MC can shut down the poet.

• 'Sacrificial Poet' (non-competing) to start the night, to help calibrate scores.

• Slams are equally about writing, performance and audience response.

• Slammers should have at least 3 poems, as there will be three rounds for the Regionals and NZ Slam.
  …

As always, remember: the point is the poetry not the points!

2023 Ōtautahi Poetry Slam Results

 

Congratulations to everyone who threw down at this year's slam. It was epic in front of a sell-out crowd at Space Academy. After a boil-over final round resulting in a tie, it came down to a slam-off between our eventual champ and runner-up.

The 2023 Ōtautahi Poetry Slam Champion is: Lee Fraser

2nd place: Briana McZant

3rd place: Stacey Olwyn

Ōtautahi-Christchurch Poetry Slam 2023 - the Grand Final!

 

Congratulations to the top 10 poets who slammed their way through to the Grand Final coming up in less than two weeks.

Come and be an audience judge or sit back and let the poetry fly. Space is limited so be sure to grab a seat or table early. $10 on the door - this helps us fly our champ to the NZ Poetry Slam taking place in Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland, in November.

For poets - the rules are here.

Ōtautahi - Christchurch Poetry Slam - THE RULES

 

Here are the official rules of the Christchurch Poetry Slam as per the NZ Poetry Slam.

Sign-up is on the night only - places are limited so get there early. 

 

Please note: to be in the Grand Final, poets must enter the Preliminary round and make it into the top 10.

Rules for NZ Poetry Slam

• 3 minutes or less with no minimum time (10 second grace period before points deduction)

• Time starts when poet speaks, however while poets can have time to settle and adjust microphone etc, this time is not limitless; ideally a poet should start before 10 seconds.

• Original (i.e. your own) poems only

• No props no music no costumes (i.e. clothing related to the content of your poem)

• In the case of a tie a slam-off will be required

• Random draw, for performance order.

 
Judging and scoring:

• 5 Audience Judges (chosen by MC and/or organiser) display score cards 0-10 (Decimal points allowed)

• Top and bottom scores drop off and total of remaining 3 scores is the total

• If Poet goes over grace period MC or Timekeeper to ask scorer to mark down points after the judges score… (Half a point penalty for every 10 seconds over time)

• After 4 minutes the MC can shut down the poet

• 'Sacrificial Poet' (non-competing) to start the night, to help calibrate scores.

• Slams are equally about writing, performance and audience response.

• Slammers should have at least 3 poems, as there will be three rounds for the Regionals and NZ Slam
  …

As always, remember: the point is the poetry not the points!

Ōtautahi-Christchurch Poetry Slam is here!

 The dates for the 2023 Christchurch Poetry Slams are:

Wednesday 2nd August, 7pm - Preliminary heat

Wednesday 23rd August, 7pm - GRAND FINAL

As always, poets wishing to throw down in the big Slam as part of WORD Christchurch, need to go in the Prelim and make it into the top 10.

Rules will be posted on this website (in fact they're searchable from last year).

Door charge: $10 entry (Slammers are free!)

THE RULES! - Christchurch Poetry Slam 2022 - preliminary heat & grand final

 

 To compete in the Grand Final, poets must make the top 10 in the preliminary heat on Wednesday 3rd August, 7pm at Space Academy. 

(The Grand Final will be contested on 31st August also at Space Academy)

 

Here are the official rules of the Christchurch Poetry Slam as per the NZ Poetry Slam.

Sign-up is on the night only - places are limited so get there early.

Rules for NZ Poetry Slam

• 3 minutes or less with no minimum time (10 second grace period before points deduction)

• Time starts when poet speaks, however while poets can have time to settle and adjust microphone etc, this time is not limitless; ideally a poet should start before 10 seconds.

• Original (i.e. your own) poems only

• No props no music no costumes (i.e. clothing related to the content of your poem)

• In the case of a tie a slam-off will be required

• Random draw, for performance order.

 
Judging and scoring:

• 5 Audience Judges (chosen by MC and/or organiser) display score cards 0-10 (Decimal points allowed)

• Top and bottom scores drop off and total of remaining 3 scores is the total

• If Poet goes over grace period MC or Timekeeper to ask scorer to mark down points after the judges score… (Half a point penalty for every 10 seconds over time)

• After 4 minutes the MC can shut down the poet

• 'Sacrificial Poet' (non-competing) to start the night, to help calibrate scores.

• Slams are equally about writing, performance and audience response.

• Slammers should have at least 3 poems, as there will be three rounds for the Regionals and NZ Slam
  …

As always, remember: the point is the poetry not the points!

NZ Poetry Slam 2021 goes ONLINE in 2022!

 

After two postponements due to COVID-19 in 2021, the NZ Poetry Slam national final for 2021 is happening online on 12th February 2022.

Here we go! It's a tough decision but the crew really have to take people's health and safety in consideration - poets flying into Christchurch from around the country are taking a risk and possibly facing 10 days isolation away from home, if they happen to be a close contact on a flight or at an airport.

Details for the event and the link to join in from the comfort of your own home are on the Facebook event page here. It is happening at the same date and time as the scheduled live event.

Existing tickets will be refunded and new tickets available for the online version.

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2021 - we have a winner!

 

Congratulations to 2021 Christchurch Poetry Slam Champ Nathan Joe!

Runner-up - Ray Shipley

3rd place - RiktheMost 

On a balmy night in Foundation Cafe at Tūranga the top 10 poets from the preliminary heat in August slugged it out across 3 rounds. It was the 10th anniversary of the Christchurch Slam being part of the national network of slams (for the pre-history, look up Poetry Idol here).

To mark the occasion, poet and artist Melanie McKerchar created a stunning trophy (the first since Poetry Idol) and lifted for the first time by Nathan at the end of a challenging and fierce three rounds.

The field of 10 were mighty and diverse - half of them were previous Slam winners (including international Slams) or runners-up, and the other half included first-timers this year.

The top 3 will go forward to the 2021 NZ Poetry Slam (to be held February 2022).

Thank you to WORD Christchurch for once again incorporating the Slam into the festival and for pulling off a postponed festival in very challenging and uncertain times.

Thank you UBS Books for sponsoring prize vouchers for our winners.

Thank you to Foundation Cafe at Tūranga for being brilliant hosts and problem solvers.

Christchurch Poetry Slam - it's on (again!)

 

After holding our breath through this latest Covid outbreak, we're excited to let it all out in the 10th edition of the Christchurch Poetry Slam Final on Wednesday 10th November.

Get ready!

Note: the event is going ahead under Level 2 restrictions - that means wear a mask and venue capacity is limited to allow spacing so get along early if you want to get in and grab a seat. We apologise in advance if you cannot gain entry due to the venue capacity limit. (Obviously that doesn't apply to the Slammers!)

If Christchurch is moved to Alert Level 3 or 4, the event will be cancelled. 

Christchurch Poetry Slam Final

Wednesday 10th November, 7pm (doors open 6pm)

Foundation Cafe, Tūranga, Cathedral Square.

Door charge: $10 cash only

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2021 - Get Ready!

 

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2021 - preliminary heat & grand final - THE RULES!

 

To compete in the Grand Final, poets must make the top 10 in the preliminary heat on Wednesday 4th August at Space Academy.

 

Here are the official rules of the Christchurch Poetry Slam as per the NZ Poetry Slam.

Sign-up is on the night only - places are limited so get there early.

Rules for NZ Poetry Slam

• 3 minutes or less with no minimum time (10 second grace period before points deduction)

• Time starts when poet speaks, however while poets can have time to settle and adjust microphone etc, this time is not limitless; ideally a poet should start before 10 seconds.

• Original (i.e. your own) poems only

• No props no music no costumes (i.e. clothing related to the content of your poem)

• In the case of a tie a slam-off will be required

• Random draw, for performance order.

 
Judging and scoring:

• 5 Audience Judges (chosen by MC and/or organiser) display score cards 0-10 (Decimal points allowed)

• Top and bottom scores drop off and total of remaining 3 scores is the total

• If Poet goes over grace period MC or Timekeeper to ask scorer to mark down points after the judges score… (Half a point penalty for every 10 seconds over time)

• After 4 minutes the MC can shut down the poet

• 'Sacrificial Poet' (non-competing) to start the night, to help calibrate scores.

• Slams are equally about writing, performance and audience response.

• Slammers should have at least 3 poems, as there will be three rounds for the Regionals and NZ Slam
  …

As always, remember: the point is the poetry not the points!

NZ Poetry Slam national final - tickets available online!

 Tickets selling fast! Secure yours here:

Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/.../new.../christchurch/tickets

NZ Poetry Slam comes to Christchurch again!

 

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2020

 

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2020 - Prelim Heat + Grand Final - RULES

 

 NOTE: In 2020, Christchurch is hosting a PRELIMINARY HEAT as well as a Grand Final. Only those selected via the Preliminary Heat (Wednesday 7th October, 7pm at Space Academy) will be able to contest the Grand Final as part of WORD Christchurch.

 

Here are the official rules of the Christchurch Poetry Slam as per the NZ Poetry Slam.

Sign-up is on the night only - places are limited to 12 participants so get there early.

Rules for NZ Poetry Slam

• 3 minutes or less with no minimum time (10 second grace period before points deduction)

• Time starts when poet speaks, however while poets can have time to settle and adjust microphone etc, this time is not limitless; ideally a poet should start before 10 seconds.

• Original (i.e. your own) poems only

• No props no music no costumes (i.e. clothing related to the content of your poem)

• In the case of a tie a slam-off will be required

• Random draw, for performance order.

 
Judging and scoring:

• 5 Audience Judges (chosen by MC and/or organiser) display score cards 0-10 (Decimal points allowed)

• Top and bottom scores drop off and total of remaining 3 scores is the total

• If Poet goes over grace period MC or Timekeeper to ask scorer to mark down points after the judges score… (Half a point penalty for every 10 seconds over time)

• After 4 minutes the MC can shut down the poet

• 'Sacrificial Poet' (non-competing) to start the night, to help calibrate scores.

• Slams are equally about writing, performance and audience response.

• Slammers should have at least 3 poems, as there will be three rounds for the Regionals and NZ Slam
  …

As always, remember: the point is the poetry not the points!