Robert Sullivan has been appointed as New Zealand's Poet Laureate, succeeding a lineage of distinguished Māori poets. Reflecting on his heritage, Sullivan recalled his early experiences with fellow Laureate Hone Tuwhare, expressing gratitude for the legacy of Māori poets in both te reo Māori and English.
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Sullivan noted a resurgence of poets writing in te reo Māori, inspired by figures such as Sir Tīmoti Kāretu and Wharehuia Milroy. He emphasized the unique vibrational healing inherent in the Māori language, describing it as ‘rongoā’—an essence of mana that connects the past with future generations.
Sullivan has whakapapa to Ngāpuhi and Kāi Tahu and has authored over 12 poetry collections, including his latest, Hopurangi-Songcatcher: Poems from the Maramataka, which was shortlisted for the Mary and Peter Biggs Award at the 2025 Ockham NZ Book Awards. He officially took on the Poet Laureate role in 2025, receiving the ceremonial tokotoko from Haumoana artist Jacob Scott at a handover event in Wellington.
He regards the honours associated with the position as a community gift, providing him with opportunities to promote poetry and engage with various communities. The National Library, which administers the Poet Laureate Award, also holds the matua tokotoko, symbolizing joint guardianship of the award.
The Poet Laureate Award, originally known as the Te Mata Estate Winery Laureate Award until 2007, has recognized notable poets including Bill Manhire, Hone Tuwhare, and Elizabeth Smither. The current stipend for the position amounts to $150,000 over three years, designed to support the Laureate’s literary contributions and public engagements.