Is it loud? It is for WETEWETE 🏁 Wesley College is on deck for WORD - The Front Line Grand Slam 2025 and you need to be there to experience the hype 🎤 Six teams, three rounds, one champion team. Come support our rangatahi next weekend! 📅 Saturday 13th September 📍 Hunua Room, Aotea Centre 🕰️ 7pm 🎫 LINK IN BIO

NEXT WEEK 🏆 Action Education is proud to present the twelfth year of WORD - The Front Front Line and now we’re on ways to the finals, The Grand Slam ⭐️ Zayed College For Girls is one of the six finalist teams who will be stepping up to their frontline and they want to see you front row! 📅 Saturday 13th September ⏰ 7.00pm 📍 Hunua Room, Aotea Centre 🎫 LINK IN BIO

🎤 IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR 🎤 The six top teams from across Tāmaki Makaurau are getting ready to compete for the 2025 Grand Slam title! But are you? ⭐️ Zayed College For Girls ⭐️ Dilworth School ⭐️ Wesley College ⭐️ Waitākere College ⭐️ Diocesan School For Girls ⭐️ Ngā Puna o Waiōrea Who will take the trophy? And who will be our special guest performers? 👀 📅 Saturday 13th Sept 🕰️ 7pm 📍 Hunua Room, Aotea Centre 🎫 LINK IN BIO https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/word-the-front-line-grand-slam-auckland-13-09-2025/event/240063147EB409AF #AucklandEvents #Poetry #Youth #Voices

Hear the next generation of truth talkers share their stories in an explosion of youth expression as they battle it out to be Grand Slam Champions. Word – The Front Line is Ōtautahi Christchurch’s inter-High School Poetry Slam. More than a poetry slam, Word – The Front Line is a celebration of the future artists, leaders, and legends of Aotearoa New Zealand. In partnership with Action Education. This event is proudly supported by The Piano’s Next Generation Fund. 📅 Wednesday 27th August ⏰ 7pm 📍 The Piano, 156 Armagh St 🎟️ $15/$20 link in bio! https://nz.patronbase.com/_WORDChristchurch/Productions/2505/Performances

WORD - THE FRONT LINE SEMI-FINALS 2025 ⭐️ Through months of breaking the glass ceilings and spoken word poetry, our top 14 teams left it all on the stage with two sold out back to back weekends. Each year our rangatahi continue to raise the bar and we are still buzzing from level of growth, talent and truth our poets shared. To all our WORD whānau ‘25, we are endlessly proud of you. Thank you all so much for stepping beyond your frontlines and holding not only yourselves, but each other in every space and stage. We are blessed to have experienced your creativity and journey’s. In no particular order, these will be your top 6 teams moving on to the Grand Slam: Zayed College For Girls Diocesan School For Girls Dilworth School Waitākere College Ngā Puna o Waiōrea Wesley College These events would not exist without a village! Thank you to our coaches and alumni for being the pillars in our communities and to your teams! Special shoutout and thank you to our two legendary judging panels and Aotearoa’s leading artists featuring Bloody Samoan, Matilda Clack, Big Sima, Onehou Strickland, Marcus Mackenzie, Manaia Tuwhare-Hoani, Mama Seebz and Mark Esekielu. Thank you to DJ Nualan on the decks! Keeping the energy on for both days and in all our spaces. Huge thank you to Peniel Fa’amausili (Sole Photography) and Reuben Fietje (SEV Agency) for creating visuals for us to treasure forever. We appreciate you! Thank you so much to Auckland Live for having us. We value and appreciate everything your team has done to make these events run smoothly and an overall success. Big mihi to our funders, Creative New Zealand, Foundation North, Auckland Council Regional Arts and Culture, the Tindall Foundation and Next Gen for your continuous and generous support. Word - The Front Line Grand Slam is happening in a few weeks‼️ Details coming TOMORROW…

OUR WTFL SEMI FINAL #2 JUDGING PANEL: Seba Dilaimi, known online as @mama.seebz, is a vibrant content creator, dedicated primary school teacher, and proud solo mum with a following of over 500,000. A plus-size, positivity-driven hijabi, Seba celebrates her Iraqi heritage while embracing life as a Kiwi, having immigrated to New Zealand at the age of 14. After studying maths at university, she pursued her passion for education, completing her teaching degree in 2013. Since 2014, Seba has been inspiring young minds and now leads the junior team at Oranga School. Mark Esekielu, Senior Manager for Mental Health and Addictions at Le Va, brings over 29 years of dedicated experience to his role, encompassing community, social services, and mental health sectors. He holds qualifications in Psychology, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Social Work, and Business, blending his cultural, clinical and strategic insight.  Manaia Tuwhare-Hoani (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai) is a young wahine Māori spoken word poet with a passion for storytelling. She does this as part of the poetry collective, Ngā Hinepūkōrero. Together, Ngā Hinepūkōrero participated in WORD - The Front Line 2018 in Auckland, the Trans-Tasman Slam in Melbourne and came out champions. They were the first team from Aotearoa to represent at the 2019 Brave New Voices, the largest international youth poetry slam in the world. She has appeared in media such as Te Karere, The Hui, RNZ and many others. In 2021 NHP did a writer’s residency at the Auckland Art Gallery as part of the Toi Tū, Toi Ora exhibition. Marcus Mackenzie (he/him) is a Tāmaki Makaurau based writer, performer, and lawyer. He is the 2023 National Poetry Slam champion and since finding an affinity for spoken word in 2017 has been lucky enough to perform his work all across Aotearoa. He is a coach for the inter-high school competition WORD - The Front Line and is a member of the JAFA Poetry Slam executive team. Recently he was published by Auckland University Press in the performance poetry anthology Rapture. 📅 Saturday 16th August ⏰ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎫 $5/$10 link in bio! We only have a handful left 🏃‍♀️

Have you seen De La Salle College? We have and we will, this weekend at WORD - The Front Line Semi Final Heat #2! Tickets are moving quickly so get yours today to witness La Salle on stage 🎤 📅 Saturday 16th August 🕰️ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎫 $5/$10 link in bio!

2️⃣ DAYS UNTIL SEMI’S! Mount Roskill Grammar School is taking the stage this weekend and they’d love to have you there 👏🏻 We sold out last weekend so get your tickets today! 📅 Saturday 16th August 🕰️ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎫 $5/$10 link in bio!

Did someone say WETEWETE? Wesley College returns to WORD - The Front Line Semi Finals Heat #2! They have an incredible support crew who in previous years has brought signs and flags, will that be you too? Get your tickets today! 📅 Saturday 16th August 🕰️ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎫 $5/$10 link in bio!

3️⃣ DAYS TILL SEMI’S 🥳 Glendowie College will be stepping up to their frontline this weekend and we want you to come support them! They’ve been working hard over the past few months and it will all be shown on Saturday at WORD - The Front Line Semi Final Heat #2. 📅 Saturday 16th August ⏰1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎫 $5/$10 link in bio!

You know what beats a Jet2 Holiday? Kelston Girls’ College 🔥 They’ll be competing against six teams for a spot at the Grand Slam this weekend! Get your tickets now before they sell out 🏃‍♀️ 🗓️ Saturday 16th August ⏰ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎫 $5/$10 link in bio!

4️⃣ MORE SLEEPS TILL SEMI’S 🎤 If you missed out last weekend, this will be your final chance to clock in! Dilworth School is standing on business but are you? 🗓️ Saturday 16th August ⌚️1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎟️ $5/$10 link in bio!

You thought it was over? WORD - The Front Line Heat #2 is the second and last Semi Final for 2025! Zayed College For Girls will be there and so should you 🫵🏽 📅 Saturday 16th August ⌚️ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎫 $5/$10 link in bio!

TODAY IS THE DAY ⭐️ WORD - The Front Line Semi Finals Heat #1 is happening this afternoon and our last school stepping up to the mic will be Waitākere College! We have a few tickets left and you won’t want to miss out on their poems. Grab’em while you can! 📅 Saturday 9th August (TODAY) ⏰ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎟️ $5/$10 link in bio!

1️⃣ MORE SLEEP TILL SEMI’S! You know what’ll make your Friday night even better? Getting tickets for our first Semi Final Heat where Diocesan School For Girls is competing! 7 teams, one mic and one seat with your name on it 🫵🏽 🗓️ Saturday 9th August ⏰ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎟️ $5/$10 link in bio!

We are proud to present our Judges for WTFL Semi’s Heat #1! Michel Mulipola AKA Bloody Samoan is a comic book illustrator and professional wrestler. Auckland-based Mulipola is a self-taught award-winning artist who has produced illustrations for Learning Media, Lift Education, Reading Warrior and independent US graphic novel series Headlocked. In 2006 he won the Gibson Award for Best New Zealand Comic Book Artist, in 2013 he was a grand finalist in the Secret Walls x Aotearoa Live Art Battles, and in 2016 he was awarded the Storylines Notable Book Award for Samoan Heroes with author David Riley. Onehou Strickland is a poet and facilitator from the heart of South Auckland. She now finds herself in the world of film and TV as a writer, editor, media operator and director. She has been a member of the South Auckland Poets Collective since 2012 which has seen her travel the country performing and leading workshops in Spoken Word. “Political, raw, unapologetic” all words you could use to describe Big Sima’s music, a modern day poet laureate. His new album “Stereotypes Of a Polynesian Misunderstood” layers themes and experiences from all walks of life, enlisting one of our country ‘ s most prolific producers in Tiki Taane. Big Sima is one of the most active NZ hip hop artists after being added to Summer Sounds, Electric Avenue & Soundsplash, looks towards his 4th consecutive nationwide tour with 7-piece band ‘Boomtown’. Having just released his 3rd studio project “Early In The Peace” Big Sima & Boomtown are set once again to go back on the road to celebrate the launch of their brand new EP. Matilda Clack is a poet and teacher currently residing in Tāmaki Makaurau. A Word-Up runner up and Word-The Front Line finalist in her final year of high school, Matilda has been involved in coaching, facilitating and performing poetry since. She is a two-time JAFA Regional Finalist and Trans-Tasman Poetry Slam Champion, and her work typically utilises a personal lens to articulate aspects of the human experience. 📅 Saturday 9th August, 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Auckland Live 🎟️ $5/$10 link in bio!

Have you gotten your tickets yet? 🎤 This weekend Marcellin College are stepping up to their frontlines and sharing some incredible poetry! And you won’t want to miss it. 🗓️ Saturday 9th August ⏰ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎟️ $5/$10 link in bio!

2️⃣ DAYS AWAY FROM SEMI’S! WORD - The Front Line Semi Finals Heat #1 is coming to a stage near you this weekend and Birkenhead College wants you there. Bring your signs, flags and all the energy for Birkenhead! 📅 Saturday 9th August ⏰ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎟️ $5/$10 link in bio

TANGAROA COLLEGE ⭐️ Is coming to a stage near you this Saturday for WORD - The Front Line Semi Finals Heat #1! These teams have worked hard over the past four months and you won’t want to miss witnessing their greatness. 📅 Saturday 9th August ⏰ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎟️ $5/$10 link in bio!

3️⃣ DAYS UNTIL SEMI’S! Alfriston College is ready to rock the mic, but are you ready to hear it? WORD - The Front Line Semi Finals Heat #1 kicks off this Saturday and we want you there 🎤 Grab your tickets for you and a friend and we will see you on the front line! 📅 Saturday 9th August, 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎟️ $5/$10 link in bio!

WTFL SEMI-FINALS HEAT #1 ⭐️ We are proud to present one of the teams competing this weekend for a spot in the Grand Slam from Ngā Puna O Waiōrea. Come through and experience a once in a lifetime spoken word poetry event powered by our rangatahi! 🗓️ Saturday 9th August ⏰ 1pm 📍 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre 🎟️ $5/$10 link in bio!

SUP South is back at Youthline Manukau with some incredible features including an internationally acclaimed poet all the way from the USA! Stand Up Poetry Open Mic nights make spoken word poetry relevant and accessible by providing a public platform for emerging spoken word poets. Open mic is open to all styles, ages and backgrounds. Bring a poem, verse or just yourself! Wednesday Aug. 6th 7PM Youthline Manukau 145 St. George St. Papatoetoe FREE - Sign up on the day. This is an uncensored space but hate speech free. Terisa Siagatonu is an award-winning touring poet, speaker, educator, and community organizer born and rooted on unceded Ohlone territory in the Bay Area. Her voice in the poetry world as a queer Sāmoan artist has granted her opportunities to perform in places such as the UN Conference on Climate Change in Paris, the 9th Annual Asia Pacific Triennial in Brisbane, Australia, the 2019 SF Women’s March, and FestPac 2024 with the American Samoa delegation. Her work has been published in Poetry Magazine and The Academy of American Poets and her debut children’s book The Vastness of Us is forthcoming on Penguin Books in 2026. Mafi Tufunga Tavo, born and raised in the heart of South Auckland, Ōtara 274, is a proud first-generation Tongan and founding member of the South Auckland Poets Collective and Word the Front Line. A storyteller and educator, he has spent over 16 years using spoken word and talanoa to instil confidence for every individual to speak their truth, be brave to stand up against any injustices and amplify his community’s voice.

SEMI-FINALS Heat #2 2025! It’s that time of year already! The fiercest poetry competition in Aotearoa is back in Tāmaki Makaurau! More than a poetry slam, Word - The Front Line is a community of leaders, storytellers, and changemakers from across the city that gather to connect and celebrate each other in a poetic battlefield unlike any other in the world. Come along with your whānau and friends to celebrate the top 14 high school teams, across two semifinal heats as they battle for a chance to compete at the Grand Slam. We need to show up for our rangatahi so let’s pack the house out! This year the semifinals will be taking place on two different dates. To support your favorite teams, please make sure you read the details carefully. The top 3 schools from each Heat will make it to the Grand Slam on Sept. 13th! Tickets OUT NOW via the link in our bio! HEAT 2 Zayed College For Girls De La Salle College Dilworth School Wesley College Kelston Girls' College Mount Roskill Grammar School Glendowie College Sat. August 16th 1PM @ Herald Theatre! $10 Waged/ $5 Unwaged

SEMI-FINALS Heat #1 2025! It’s that time of year already! The fiercest poetry competition in Aotearoa is back in Tāmaki Makaurau! More than a poetry slam, Word - The Front Line is a community of leaders, storytellers, and changemakers from across the city that gather to connect and celebrate each other in a poetic battlefield unlike any other in the world. Come along with your whānau and friends to celebrate the top 14 high school teams, across two semifinal heats as they battle for a chance to compete at the Grand Slam. We need to show up for our rangatahi so let’s pack the house out! This year the semifinals will be taking place on two different dates. To support your favorite teams, please make sure you read the details carefully. The top 3 schools from each Heat will make it to the Grand Slam on Sept. 13th! Tickets OUT NOW via the link in our bio! HEAT 1 Alfriston College Marcellin College Diocesan School For Girls Waitākere College Birkenhead College Ngā Puna O Waiōrea Tangaroa College Sat. August 9th 1PM @ Herald Theatre! $10 Waged/ $5 Unwaged