For the first time in its 75-year history, the Commonwealth of Nations has a Poet Laureate.
Award-winning Pacific writer Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh ONZM, FRSNZ has been appointed by the Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, to the brand-new, two-year post, placing creative expression at the heart of the Commonwealth’s work.
Selina Tusitala Marsh is the history-making first-ever Commonwealth Poet Laureate and will serve in this role until 31 May 2027. As Poet Laureate, Marsh will work on behalf of the entire Commonwealth family, connecting its 2.7 billion citizens through poetry. She will craft original poems for flagship Commonwealth events including Commonwealth Day, the Commonwealth People’s Forum, and Ministerial and Heads of Government Meetings.
Professor Marsh will also advise on the Commonwealth Foundation’s creative programming—as the principal agency for Commonwealth culture—and will appear in person at the Commonwealth People’s Forum and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua & Barbuda in 2026.
Read the Commonwealth Poet Laureate’s Inaugural poem ‘Uncommon Banyan’
Amplifying the people’s voice through art
From performing for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey to mentoring new writers across the Pacific, Marsh has demonstrated how poetry can travel from palace to village hall—and back again—carrying urgent conversations about identity, climate justice, and belonging. Her appointment signals a major step in the Foundation’s drive to ‘turn supporters into change-makers’ by connecting hearts, challenging assumptions, and awaken imaginations through creativity and storytelling.
Selina Tusitala Marsh on her appointment
‘I am deeply honoured to accept this role as the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate. In Samoan, we say “O le tele o sulu e maua ai figota” – “The more torches we have, the more fish we can catch”. Poetry is our torch, illuminating paths between our diverse cultures and histories.’
‘The Māori proverb from Aotearoa New Zealand goes “He toi whakairo, he mana tangata” – “Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity.” This profound truth guides my vision for this role. Through the elevation of our creative voices, we affirm our shared humanity across the Commonwealth. When we honour the artistry within our communities— whether it flows from Samoa, my mother’s island, or New Zealand, where I was born and grew up—we recognise the inherent dignity and worth of every person whose story deserves to be told.’
‘When Her Majesty charged me with fostering unity through verse in 2016, I felt the weight and wonder of words that bridge worlds. Today, I accept this torch with alofa (love) and renewed commitment to amplify the voices that heal, challenge, and unite our Commonwealth family. Together, we will kindle more torches, casting light on the stories that connect us all, celebrating the artistic excellence that affirms our collective human dignity.’
Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, Director-General, Commonwealth Foundation
‘It is through poetry that we can learn best about ourselves and each other. Poetry helps us make sense of our fragile world. It is the language of love and dreams, the language of despair and desire, of protest and rebellion. At the Commonwealth, we have come to understand that poetry – indeed creativity in all its forms – is not an embellishment of the Commonwealth story—it is a catalyst for justice, understanding, and hope. Selina Tusitala Marsh embodies that truth. Her poetry travels effortlessly from the smallest community to the global stage: illuminating the concerns and aspirations of our 2.7 billion citizens and challenging all of us to listen more closely. There could be no finer inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate.’
Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General
‘It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the first Commonwealth poet laureate, Selina Tusitala Marsh, and applaud the Commonwealth Foundation for this bold initiative. Our boundless appreciation for culture, in all its diversity and richness, is one of the things that bind us together as people of the Commonwealth. Aside from being entertaining, art helps to illuminate important issues, galvanise action, nurtures inclusive societies, offers economic opportunity and preserves our identities. We must celebrate its importance.’
Professor Tusitala Marsh with Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and Commonwealth Foundation Director-General Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO at the Commonwealth Headquarters in Marlborough House, London
About Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh
Marsh’s connection with the Commonwealth dates back to 2016, when she recited one of her poems at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. Most recently, she co-hosted the Commonwealth People’s Forum in Samoa.
Marsh previously served as New Zealand Poet Laureate from 2017 to 2019. She has published three award-winning collections of poetry and created the bestselling graphic memoir series Mophead, which swept New Zealand’s book awards in 2020, including the prestigious Margaret Mahy Book of the Year. Marsh was the first Pacific Islander to earn a PhD in English from the University of Auckland, where she now lectures in Pacific Poetry and Creative Writing and co-directs the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation, championing arts-led approaches to justice, health, and well-being.
- Background: Samoan, Tuvaluan, English, Scottish, and French heritage; born in Auckland, 1971.
- Publications: Three acclaimed poetry collections (Fast Talking PI, Dark Sparring, Tightrope) and the multi-award-winning graphic memoir series Mophead.
- Honours: Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2019); Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (2019). en.wikipedia.org
- Performance highlights: Commonwealth Day Service (2016); Poetry Parnassus at the London Olympics (2012). poetryarchive.org
Download a full biography and pictures of Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh here.
