The Central Heat for North Shore and Central Aucklanders on Tuesday 1 September, at “Poetry Live”, Thirsty Dog, 469 Karangahape Rd, Ponsonby, was a night of powerful, soulful and hugely entertaining Poetry. The night’s three finalists and two runners-up were closely matched and made it a very close finish for the top three finalists in particular.

Top-three finalist Carrie Rudzinski, qualified with a confronting, emotive and powerful performance - it was a masterclass in performance poetry. Tim Heath qualified with an engaging, humorous and universally-themed poem of old versus new. Whaitiri Mikaere “AKA Diesel Dyke Poet” was our overall heat winner, her performance was clear and engaging, and the poem was simply what I look for in a poem; great use of language, metaphor and meter. Her theme was the universal themes of love, relationships and break-ups.

Our two runner-up finalists who also qualify for the Grand Final were so close to the top three and only separated from the top three by a point. Phodiso Dintwe qualified with a love poem and an engaging, soulful performance. James Easteal tied with Phidiso, he performed a confronting and powerful poem to men to care for and respect women.

I look forward to our next heat and encourage all poets to come along register, get involved! There are fantastic prizes for the top three qualifiers at the heat and qualification to compete in the grand finale.
Our next heat is the West Auckland heat on Tuesday 8 September | 6.30pm at Te Pou Theatre, 44A Portage Road, New Lynn. (Parking at rear, off Mc Whirter Place).

Doug Poole
Director