Selina Tusitala Marsh, a proud Samoan-New Zealander, has become the first person to be named Poet Laureate for the Commonwealth, a special role that represents 56 countries and over 2.7 billion people.

Selina is known for writing poems that connect people, inspire hope, and share stories from her Pacific roots. Now, as Commonwealth Poet Laureate, she will write poems for big events like Commonwealth Day and the 2026 Heads of Government Meeting.

Speaking about her new role, she said: “In Sāmoan, 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.”

Selina was given the title at a ceremony in London by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey and Commonwealth Foundation Director-General Dr Anne Gallagher. Dr Gallagher said Selina’s poetry brings people together. “Her poetry travels effortlessly from the smallest community to the global stage,” she said.

Selina also spoke about the difficult history of the Commonwealth, saying, “It's founded on really violent roots of colonialism. We're all connected by having been formerly colonised by the British Empire and its affiliates.”

Her first poem in the role, Uncommon Banyan, uses a tree to show how all countries in the Commonwealth are connected through both pain and growth:

She explained that the banyan tree can take over its host but still grows into something large and full of life. “That’s how I see our Commonwealth,” she said.

Selina’s poetry is also shaped by her family, especially her mother, who came from Samoa, supported her family, and learned English by watching TV soap operas. “She was a formidable force. She’s the Tusitala line,” Selina shared.

Now taking a break from teaching at the University of Auckland, Selina is working on a book about the first 21 Pacific women to publish poetry in English. She wants to make sure their voices are heard in schools.

She also dreams of creating a “poetry quilt” for the Commonwealth, with one poetic line from each of the 56 countries. “We digitise this quilt, turn it into an audio poem, and ideally, a material quilt too … one that becomes the unofficial flag of the Commonwealth.”

Selina believes poetry should be for everyone. “My poems are accessible, my poems reach into people’s hearts and use the common language. It’s part of that spoken word, oral tradition that we have.”

Leaving a message of hope to others as Poet Laureate, she said, “I woke up from a dream and the phrase love lifts surfaced. That’s what I’ll do … love always lifts.”