The International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University has released its third online edition of Best New Zealand Poems. The cover design (pictured) is by Ralph Hotere and is a beautifully presented on-line document.

This year the selection of poems ranges from classic Robin Hyde, to relative newcomers Anna Livesey and Cliff Fell. Jenny Bornholdt, Kate Camp and Bob Orr are also included in this year’s collection, which makes it three years in a row for these poets to be recognised.

Robin Dudding, this year’s editor, said there was no conscious attempt to hunt out themes or preoccupations in the poems selected and he was delighted by the breadth of writing he discovered while making his selections. "I was looking for poems to read and read again, ones that entertained, moved, involved me – ones that surprised and pleased, and celebrated skilled use of language."

Professor Bill Manhire, Director of the IIML, says the premise behind the collection is to introduce readers to leading contemporary New Zealand poets. "We are especially keen to promote their work to an international audience, which is why we include notes about and by the poet. We hope that this will lead readers to make fresh discoveries, not only about new poets and their work but also about the landscape and culture of New Zealand."

The project is supported by a grant from Creative New Zealand.