Te Wāhi Toi/The Arts Place exists to connect the creative community of Queenstown and Wānaka with audiences, students, teachers, spaces and each other. We are a not-for-profit organisation powered by Three Lakes Cultural Trust and inspired by local arts and culture.
A Night of Poetry with Chris Tse: Celebrating Contemporary Voices in Queenstown
Happening on Friday 8 August at The Sherwood, this event will see Tse take the stage alongside local poets Jane...Eventfinda.
Happening on Friday 8 August at The Sherwood, this event will see Tse take the stage alongside local poets Jane Bloomfield and Jane Coombs, offering audiences a rich evening of contemporary poetry and performance. Tickets are $25 + fees and available now via Eventfinda.
Chris Tse is one of Aotearoa’s most vital and vibrant literary voices. Known for his bold, beautiful work exploring identity, heritage, and queer experience, Tse was appointed New Zealand’s 13th Poet Laureate in 2022. His appearance in Queenstown will be one of the last in his Laureate term—making this a not-to-be-missed moment for local poetry lovers.
Tse will read from his previous collections and share new work written during his Laureateship, reflecting on joy, crisis, and the role poetry plays in uncertain times.
This event marks a new creative collaboration between ACAS and QWF, something ACAS co-chair Kelly Carmichael was keen to initiate.
“I genuinely believe a creative community is a collaborative community,” she says. “When arts organisations support each other, we make the whole scene stronger.”
That shared spirit of generosity and connection is echoed by QWF Chair Tanya Surrey:
“One of our objectives is to provide opportunities for education and learning, and to showcase a range of voices in contemporary New Zealand literature. Hosting Chris fits right into that vision.”
Backed by the New Zealand Poet Laureate Award - established by the government in 2007 and supported by the National Library - Chris Tse’s visit reflects both the national importance of poetry and the growing appetite for contemporary writing in our district.
The event has been brought to life by two dedicated, volunteer-led organisations, ACAS and QWF - who bring artists, musicians, writers and filmmakers to the Queenstown Lakes region.
And there’s more to come with ACAS as Kelly hints at some exciting projects on the horizon:
“In 2022, I launched a small curatorial platform called Curious with the tagline: ‘cultural adrenaline to match Queenstown’s physical adrenaline.’ We’ve hosted some incredible speakers and there are more in the works. I’ve also programmed a Winter Art Film Series for ACAS with director Q&As starting in late August, and we’re lining up some brilliant speakers for Spring and Summer.”
Want to get more involved? Both ACAS and QWF welcome fresh ideas, helping hands, and collaborative energy. If you’re keen to contribute to our region’s creative heartbeat, head to their websites and get in touch.
While he’s in town, Chris Tse will also lead a Poetry Masterclass on Saturday 9 August at Te Atamira in Frankton.
Whether you're a beginner or a long-time writer, this workshop is a golden opportunity to explore your voice with one of Aotearoa’s leading poets. He’ll also be spending time with local high school students, nurturing the next generation of creative thinkers.
Poetry Masterclass with Chris Tse
📍 Te Atamira, Frankton
🕙 10:00am–12:00pm, Saturday 9 August
🎟 Tickets: $40 via Eventfinda
