A pole erection apparatus 10 comprises a guide portion 12 and a support portion 40, each having a body shaped to receive a pole 16. At least one actuator 48 is coupled to the support portion and is operable to pivot the support portion between reclined and upright states with respect to the guide portion. When the support portion is in the upright state, the bodies of the guide and support portions are aligned with one another to allow the pole to slide from the support into the guide portion. The bodies of the support and guide portions may be sleeve-like in shape and may comprise first and second hingedly connected parts. The actuator may be pivotally coupled between a base and the support portion. Also claimed is a method for erecting a pole which comprises the step of inserting the guide portion into a hole formed in the ground.