Support for eight unpublished Pacific poets to contribute to a collection of poetry to celebrate and revitalise Pacific languages through literature.
On this page:
- Overview
- Key dates
- Who is eligible
- What is offered
- Get advice before you apply
- How to apply
- How your submission is assessed
Overview
Creative New Zealand and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-deliver Tala: Sharing Pacific Stories – a new initiative supporting Pacific creatives to write and to be published in Pacific languages.
Read the news item announcing the Memorandum of Understanding
This special opportunity will support eight unpublished Pacific poets to contribute to the upcoming publication, The Ocean Remembers, a collection of poetry designed to celebrate and revitalise Pacific languages through literature. The publication directly delivers to the Moana priority action of the Pacific Arts Strategy 2023-2028 and activating the Pacific arts response to the threat of climate change in the Pacific Islands and Aotearoa.
Selected artists will receive full publishing support. This also aligns with the skills development Vaka focus of the Pacific Arts Strategy as well Va, growing networks, relationships and audiences for Pasifika creatives.
Amount
Commission fee and publishing support
Artforms
Key dates
- Submissions open: 1 September 2025
- Submissions close: 30 September 2025, 1:00 pm NZT
- Notification of results: 31 October 2025
Who is eligible
To apply, you must be:
- of Pacific Islands heritage
- a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident
- an unpublished literature artist (early career or established) - your work has not been included in any magazine, anthology, or licensed for major inclusion in any online or print publication
- able to submit a complete poem in your heritage language and English
You cannot apply if you are in default of any Creative New Zealand funding.
What is offered
Selected artists will receive:
- a commission fee
- inclusion in the 2026 print publication The Ocean Remembers
- public recognition of their contribution through publication promotion
- online support and insights into the publishing journey with practical guidance on how to successfully publish their own book, delivered by a leading Pacific publisher
The preference is for poems to be originally written in a Pacific language, and we understand that access to native speakers is not possible for many. Translated poems into your heritage language are acceptable. If selected, all translations will be reviewed during the editorial process by qualified Pacific editors and Pacific language translators and peer reviewers.
Get advice before you apply
There will be two online Q&A Zoom fono:
- Zoom fono Q&A session #1: 12 September 2025
- Zoom fono Q&A session #2: 26 September 2025
Follow our Pacific Arts Facebook page to join the Zoom fono, or email pacificarts@creativenz.govt.nz
How to apply
Submissions are made using an online form between September 1 and 30, 2025.
Please note that you cannot save and return to the submission form, so it is best to have all your information prepared before you begin filling it in.
When you’re preparing your information, take note of the word limits below and that the submission form fields are plain text – you can’t include formatted text in your submission.
Information to include in your submission
- Your full name and contact details
- One original poem in your heritage language with English translation (up to 800 words)
- The story or background of your poem (up to 800 words)
- Your bio (up to 800 words)
- Writing experience and personal statement telling us about your aspirations as a future author (up to 800 words)
How your submission is assessed
Assessment criteria
Eligible submissions are assessed against the following priority areas:
- Poems in Urgent Revitalisation Pacific languages (te gagana Tokelau, vagahau Niue, te reo Māori Kūki 'Airani) and Melanesian languages will be prioritised.
- Poems that link to the Pacific Arts Strategy Priority theme ‘The Ocean Remembers’ – poems honouring the ocean and land, weaving ancestral stewardship with the urgency of protecting our environment for future generations.
Who assesses your submission and makes decisions
- Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts Group will manage and lead the selection.
- Assessors include one CNZ Pacific Arts Group representative, one Ministry for Pacific Peoples representative, one Pasifika author and publishing expert, one Pasifika poet and Pasifika language expert.
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