The Robert Burns Poetry Competition is a collaboration between the Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature, the Otago Scottish Heritage Council, the Dunedin Public Libraries Association, the Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society and the Combined Clans & Societies Group Otago.
Dunedin, in the South Island of New Zealand, has a familial link to Robert Burns in the form of his nephew Rev Dr Thomas Burns, one of the city’s founding fathers and the founding chancellor of the University of Otago.
A statue of Robert Burns stands proudly in the centre of Dunedin and remains a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
In 2025, the competition forms part of the centennial celebrations of The Otago Scottish Heritage Council.
How do I enter?
Write a poem in English or Scots, inspired by the life or works of Robert Burns. The theme in 2025 is The Global Reach of Robert Burns: a Voice for Humanity. The poem of no more than 500 words should focus on the Burns’ values of equality, freedom, friendship and the dignity of the common person. If the poem is written in Scottish Gaelic, an English translation is also required. Do not include your name anywhere on the submission, aside from the entry form. This is to ensure anonymous judging.
The competition has three divisions:
Published Poet
Unpublished Poet
Rap Like Robbie – School students under 18.
Only one entry will be accepted per person i.e, if you qualify to enter for both Unpublished Poet and Rap Like Robbie, you must choose only one division to enter.
The Prizes:
- All first prize winners will be invited to attend the Dunedin Burns Supper on Saturday January 24 2025, and to recite their winning entry during the evening.
- Published Poet winner receives the William Brown and Charles Turner Medal struck by the Dunedin Burns Club, and $1000 cash sponsored by the Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature and the Otago Scottish Heritage Council. The poem is published in the Otago Daily Times newspaper.
Second prize is a certificate and $500 in cash. Third prize is a certificate and more than $200 value of books sponsored by the University Book Shop (Otago). - Unpublished Poet winner receives the Allan Millar Medal and Trophy struck by the Dunedin Burns Club, and $500 sponsored by the Dunedin Public Libraries Association (Friends of the Library).
Second prize is $200 cash, and third prize is $100 cash. The winning poem is published in the Otago Daily Times. - Rap Like Robbie (In memory of Donna Young) The winning junior poet receives $500 cash sponsored by the Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society.
Second prize is $200, and third prize is $100 both sponsored by the Combined Clans & Societies Group Otago. The winning poet will be published by the Otago Daily Times. - Note to entrants. All winners, second and third place getting poems will be published on http://www.otagoscottishheritagecouncil.org. Video recordings of poets reading their poems will also be loaded on the website, where possible.
