The RSHS Poetry Evening, August 6, was an unforgettable celebration of voice, vulnerability, and connection — a landmark event for our kura.
With the room dimly lit and each performer illuminated by a single spotlight, the atmosphere was electric, cinematic, and deeply intimate.
Every person who attended was fully engaged and moved by performances that centred marginalised voices and reminded us all that poetry is not dead — it’s alive, evolving through rap, spoken word, quiet verse, and resonating powerfully with the younger generation.
The night featured a phenomenal panel of poets and academics including Dr. Amie O’Connor, acclaimed poet Essa May Ranapiri, and University of Waikato’s Dr. Kirstine Moffat, who all agreed it was 'the best event of the year.' Each performance, from Praneet Rana’s exploration of cultural duality to Sudhir's heartfelt reflection on grief, echoed with raw honesty and lingered long after the applause faded. Organised with passion and precision by students Pahl Kumar, Hiti Sehgal, Heer Tailor and Preet Kaur and supported by a range of teachers both on and prior to the evening, it became more than a poetry night — it was a powerful platform for storytelling, kotahitanga, and intergenerational connection.
It marked the beginning of something enduring: a space where student voices are heard, honoured, and celebrated.
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