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Famous New Zealand Poems by Famous Poets

These are examples of famous New Zealand poems written by some of the greatest and most-well-known modern and classical poets. PoetrySoup is a great educational poetry resource of famous new zealand poems. These examples illustrate what a famous new zealand poem looks like and its form, scheme, or style (where appropriate).

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by Lawson, Henry
...wretched, as I mooch about the deck, 
That I'm ripe for jumpin' over -- an' I wish there was a wreck! 
We are driven to New Zealand to be shot out over there -- 
Scarce a shillin' in our pockets, nor a decent rag to wear, 
With the everlastin' worry lest we don't get into graft -- 
There is little left to land for if you cannot travel aft; 
No anxiety abaft, 
They have stuff to land with, aft -- 
Oh, there's little left to land for if you cannot travel aft; 

But it's grand a...Read more of this...



by Paterson, Andrew Barton
...urn, 
From cold Canadian snows, 
From those far lands ye hold most dear 
I bring you all a greeting here, 
A frond of a New Zealand fern, 
A bloom of English rose. 

“From faithful wife and loving lass 
I bring a wish divine, 
For Christmas blessings on your head.” 
“I wish you well,” the sentry said, 
“But here, alas! you may not pass 
Without the countersign.” 

He vanished—and the sentry’s tramp 
Re-echoed down the line. 
It was not till the morning light 
...Read more of this...

by Lehman, David
...pursue the widows
Of Nazi war criminals unrepentant to the end.
But no, she said Australia. She'd been born in New Zealand.
The difference between the two places was the difference
Between a hamburger and a chocolate malted, she said.
In the candy store across from the elementary school,
They planned their tryst. She said Australia, which meant
She was willing to go to bed with him, and this
Was before her husband's coronary
At a time when a woman didn't ...Read more of this...

by Paterson, Andrew Barton
...In distant New Zealand, whose tresses of gold 
The billows are ceaselessly combing, 
Away in a village all tranquil and old 
I came on a market where porkers were sold -- 
A market for pigs in the gloaming. 
And Maoris in plenty in picturesque rig 
The lands of their forefathers roaming, 
Were weighing their swine, whether little or big, 
For purchasers paid by the...Read more of this...

by Paterson, Andrew Barton
...ame back, ah me, what sighs and groans! 
For every bale of Maori wool was loaded up with stones! 
Yes -- thumping great New Zealand rocks among the wool they found; 
On every rock the bank had lent just eighteen-pence a pound. 
And now the Bold Bank Manager, with trouble on his brow, 
Is searching vainly for the chief from Rooti-iti-au....Read more of this...



by Service, Robert William
...ut and climb upon his knee,
 And one is like the lily, one the rose.

He sees his white sheep dapple o'er the green New Zealand plain,
 And where Vancouver's shaggy ramparts frown,
When the sunlight threads the pine-gloom he is fighting might and main
 To clinch the rivets of an Empire down.
You will find him toiling, toiling, in the south or in the west,
 A child of nature, fearless, frank, and free;
And the warmest heart that beats for you is beating in his breast,
...Read more of this...

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