One day you will be asked to select the 25 best New Zealand poems of the year and you will write the exact introduction I am writing now, which those before me likewise dutifully typed up. You’ll mention the heft of the task, a fire hose of poems you have pushed your eyeballs into the blast of. You’ll say it has nevertheless been a profound pleasure. You’ll praise. You’ll apologise. You will tiptoe around your subjectivity and the knottiness of bestness. It has to be said that certain writers you think excellent published nothing in the year in question, such as Tusiata Avia and Ashleigh Young. Although Tusiata Avia briefly had a poem about Mr. Luxon on the Newsroom site, which then disappeared minutes later before you got to read it. Very mysterious, and since you’re in Auckland today, you’ll ask the editor why but likely won’t be able to tell anyone. It has to be said that certain poets you think excellent did publish poems in the year in question, and no names will be named as you sidestep reasons at a brisk clip. Read the full introduction >