Correlation is not causality. But in this case …

‘Don’t bury my delusions of grandeur. They must continue to walk the earth, crowds pouring out of houses to cheer them on, saluted by sailors, curtsied at by wenches.’ newsroom.co.nz/2025/12/07/t...

We’ve come along way, though a hurricane. Please come to the reading/launchette at Scorpio Books on Friday (24 Oct), 6pm.

‘I had thought of calling a section of my recent book “Get out of the Bike Lane, Pedestrian Scum” but someone might’ve taken me seriously. Not something I have to worry about much as it happens.’ thespinoff.co.nz/books/18-10-...

Christchurch! Next Friday, 24 October at 6pm at Scorpio Books. Wellington’s least annoying poets will read while you eat cheese. Ashleigh Young! Rebecca Hawkes! Stacey freaking Teague! Erik Kennedy?! Oh and me-sir. IT’S WHAT THEY WOULDA WANTED. Part of the nationwide celebration of my new book. 🍷

This new collection from @assscroft.bsky.social will blast you into the sun

Hoping to die before it comes out to give the marketers a humorous angle. 😃

Minimums or minima? Synonyms or cinema?

We've been waiting for the media release to show up on our website, but can contain ourselves no longer: Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems 2024 has gone live this morning, and it's giving the Bird of the Year competition a run for its money! Editor Nick Ascroft talks about his selection here.

Thanks so much @modernletters.bsky.social for the opportunity. Very pleased New Zealand’s Bluff-most poet is next.

Great piece argh! Also have to thank Talia for putting me onto the Selina Tusitala Marsh poem and Carin Smeaton’s Hibiscus. Would send hotel room if I had one.

OK why isn't Talia at every festival she's like a very funny, very cool Maaori oracle

Also an honour not to have been selected by this middle-aged middle-of-the-roadster.

The thing I feared the most, judging Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems, was that people would feel they had to be nice to me all year. Luckily none did. www.bestnewzealandpoems.org.nz/2024-content...

Today, my least favourite word is ‘filigree’. That is all.

New collection out next year. Nearly none of it is like this.

My not entirely disingenuous best poetry books of 2024 newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/11/x...

2023 Riot Dad. Playlist at last of my 31 favourite ‘singles’ of last year. open.spotify.com/playlist/533...

‘There's shoot-outs and fist fights by night in the graveyard, multi-car pile-ups by day. And the freight train derailed and sank in the lake. Like a lobster it bubbles away.’ Grandaddy, ‘In the Town Where I’m Livin Now’ (2023). m.youtube.com/watch?v=RGOH...

'The expiry date on our promise had passed, and we knew it' - poet Nick Ascroft turns 50 (and gatecrashes the 60th birthday party of Damien Wilkins as research). Happy birthday @assscroft.bsky.social!

<cough> I may appear briefly if not cut. Was miked up and filmed.

Friday next, we’re going to ruck Kaff. Get tix.