Pasifika and Māori excellence, on stage in Ōtautahi and styling up for a celebration of island connections. Hosted and curated by Daisy Speaks.
To celebrate 50 years in publishing, join Witi Ihimaera, rangatira of Aotearoa stories, for a Sunday kōrero with Arihia Latham.
Climate change is here and it’s real. What are the challenges and responsibilities of writers to tell stories in a climate-changed world? MahMah Timoteo, Bronwyn Hayward and Erik Kennedy discussed the role of writers in the face of climate change with Melanie Dixon.
RISK! The WORD Gala with dazzling featured guests Gabriel Krauze (UK), Kevin Jared Hosein (Trinidad and Tobago), David Keenan (Scotland), Meg Mason (Australia/New Zealand) and DaisySpeaks (New Zealand/Samoa) sharing moments when they’ve taken a risk and lived to tell the tale.
To mark 150 years of the University of Canterbury, a richly illustrated history of the institution is being published. A fascinating insight into the process of writing A New History: The University of Canterbury 1873–2023.
Emily Perkins, Carl Nixon and Fiona Farrell all have new novels. They join Morrin Rout in conversation.
Australian-based New Zealand born writer Meg Mason’s smash hit, Sorrow and Bliss, was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction last year. In conversation with Noelle McCarthy.
Set in the 1940s, Trinidad and Tobago writer Kevin Jared Hosein's Hungry Ghosts is an atmospheric gothic historical novel raved about by Hilary Mantel and Bernadine Evaristo.
Women's Prize for Fiction longlisted author Emily Perkins in conversation with Julie Hill about her life, work, and new novel Lioness.
The return of one of our most popular storytelling events.
Catherine Chidgey, two-time winner of New Zealand’s richest literary prize, the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, in-conversation with Liz Grant.
We close the festival with this very special event. Members of the Ngāi Tahu Archive team and Te Pae Kōrako (Ngāi Tahu Archive Advisory Committee) speak about their favourite taonga from the Ngāi Tahu Archive.
What do Josie Shapiro, Jessica Howland Kany and Guyon Espiner have in common? Their new books all feature running! In conversation with Alex Casey, who is not a runner.
Why do we need critics? What makes a good one? What are the challenges (and benefits) of being a critic in a country as small as Aotearoa New Zealand? Join us for a panel discussion about criticism in Aotearoa today.
Join us to celebrate 30 years of Write On School for Young Writers, with an hour of readings by our young writers and their tutors, both past and present.
Airana Ngarewa (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāruahine) in-conversation about their gritty coming-of-age debut novel The Bone Tree.
In this very special session, Tusiata Avia MNZM joins John Campbell in conversation.
Inspired by the hit weekly podcast of the same name, our delicious panel discusses the formative dishes that shaped who they are today and their approaches to food and cooking.
Join young flash fiction writers Hannah Daniell and Chloe Morrison-Clarke for a flash fiction workshop for youth (ages 15-19).
Award-winning and breathtakingly singular voice in New Zealand fiction Pip Adam in conversation about her thrilling new novel Audition.
Bring your favourite music book to discuss at this book club.
Shaneel Lal, A. J. Fitzwater and Karen Healey join Jennifer Katherine Shields in a conversation about the importance of writing queer characters and personal narratives.
A special live edition of The Spinoff's politics podcast Gone by Lunchtime.
Sam Mannering hosts this special morning tea featuring several of his own baked treats along with The George’s house specialties.
In The Quiet Hero, Philip Matthews tells the extraordinary story of Andrew Bagshaw. Join Philip and Dame Sue and Phil Bagshaw, speaking with Kamala Hayman, to launch this special biography.
Join Ōtautahi Zinefest to celebrate the creation of zines and small press arts – all ages and abilities welcome.
An evening of music and spoken word with Roy Montgomery and Clementine Valentine to celebrate the launch of Montgomery's collection of verse Endurance.
Whether set in small town Scotland or Belfast during The Troubles, Scottish writer David Keenan's novels are ecstatic. Don't miss this engaging speaker!
Taking the book Shifting Foundations: Postquake Architecture of Ōtautahi Christchurch as a starting point, five speakers talk about one of their favourite post-quake buildings and imagine another in a quick-fire celebration of words and the city.
Anke Richter, Byron C Clark and Lilia Tarawa join Guyon Espiner to discuss how people can fall into the disinformation trap.
Join Kevin Jared Hosein, Khadro Mohamed and Ross Calman (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa-ki-te-tonga, Kāi Tahu) as they discuss writing indigeneity, the retelling of history and colonisation from new perspectives.
Polly Barton (UK) and Ross Calman (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tahu) discuss what can be lost and found during the art of translation.
Explore Ōtautahi's CBD through fresh eyes with this guided walking tour by John Walsh and Patrick Reynolds.
Business journalist Frances Cook, in conversation with Guyon Espiner about practical and achievable financial advice.
2023 Young New Zealander of the Year Shaneel Lal in conversation with Mahdis Azarmandi about their stunning and powerful memoir One of Them.
Gabriel Krauze has an extraordinary presence. The British writer’s incendiary autobiographical novel, Who They Was, longlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize, tells the story of a young man straddling two cultures: the university where he is studying English literature and the murky underworld of London gang warfare.
The Great WORD Story Hunt is back. Grab the whānau and find clues hidden in the library that will lead you to the next story.
British writer and translator Polly Barton in conversation with Melody Thomas about her books Porn: An Oral History and memoir Fifty Sounds.
Love notes and travel stories, heartbreak and haiku – signed, sealed and delivered by you. The Lost Art of Letter Writing is a chance for you to send letters to, and receive them from, strangers.
Join Fungi of Aotearoa: A Curious Forager’s Field Guide author Liv Sisson for a stroll and a forage in our own urban garden. Walk along the Avon River/Ōtākaro to discover what delights can be found along the banks.
Dr Hinemoa Elder (Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri and Ngāpuhi) and Dr Emma Espiner’s (Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Porou) share a kōrero about their mahi in healthcare and their beautiful books.
Meet Tūranga's Pou Kohikohinga Māori - Māori Collection Specialists who are available to answer any of your queries relating to our Ngā Pounamu Māori collection, whakapapa, or any other kaupapa Māori research.
David Vass was one of New Zealand's leading mountaineers, until an accident in Fiordland in 2015 ended his climbing life. His memoir, Not Set in Stone, charts how his world has changed.
Christchurch’s favourite nocturnal salon brings together visiting out-of-towners and hot locals for a memorable night of poetry, shenanigans, feelings and staying up far too late.
Cult Scottish author David Keenan joins cult New Zealand musician Bruce Russell for a set of free improvised music and readings from Keenan’s modernist masterpiece Monument Maker.
Our ever-popular tiny lecture series returns as Emily Perkins, Gabriel Krauze, Andrew Paul Wood, Melody Thomas and Juanita Hepi share their weird and wonderful deep obsessions.
Nathan Joe, Claudia Jardine, Isla Huia (Te Āti Haunui a-Pāpārangi, Uenuku), Frankie McMillan and Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu) come together to weave words within the bricks, mortar and stone of The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora.
Is artificial intelligence any match for the combined years of wisdom of Tūranga’s reading advisor librarians? Join us for a fun hour of human vs machine, AI vs librarian.
This casual, monthly reading group celebrates the content of Tūranga's Ngā Pounamu Māori collection. Each month members choose any book from the collection – Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children’s, Adults – and shares back with the rest of the group.
Learn the basics of graphic design to create an artwork inspired by your favourite book using Tūranga's vinyl printing gear.
Ruby Solly (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe) and Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu) discuss writing family histories and the protection of whakapapa with Helen Brown (Ngāi Tahu).
Bringing this sell-out show to his hometown, Chinese-Kiwi playwright Nathan Joe has curated a celebration of the finest BIPOC storytellers and spoken word artists.
Join Sudden Valley Press poets Gail Ingram, Jeni Curtis, Janet Wainscott and Marisa Cappetta for a celebration of local poetry.
Join us at Scorpio Books for the launch of Amy Head's new short story collection Signs of Life.
The Book Witch will use her crystal ball, magical powers, and tarot cards to help match curious young adult readers with the books of their dreams.
Ben Brown (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki, Ngāti Paoa), Ruby Solly (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe) and Ariana Tīkao (Kāi Tahu) open the festival with a stirring and soul-warming evening of storytelling, poetry and waiata.
The rough diamond in the crown of the poetry calendar!
Who doesn't love a quiz? Roll up for this quiz night with your host Ray Shipley.
Pou Kohikohinga Māori – Tūranga's Māori Collection Specialists - share insights, resources and key texts for iwi research that are available in their collections. In August the spotlight is on Ngāti Tama.
Come to the Youth Space at Tūranga to make your own zine!
Global sports icon and superstar of international rugby Dan Carter joins Duncan Greive in conversation to discuss his life and work, why great leaders are made, not born, and why they must constantly evolve.
Three global crime-writing heavyweights discuss the inner workings of the criminal mind - and reveal the winners of the 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards.
Join Tā Tipene O'Regan, Helen Brown and Michael Stevens for a journey through some extraordinary Ngāi Tahu lives.
Join Joanna Preston for this workshop designed to bring you gently into the world of poetry.
Join wine writer, sound artist and multisensory researcher Dr Jo Burzynska and WORD Programme Manager, writer and critic Kiran Dass to explore the fascinating intersections between words, wine and sound.
Tracey Slaughter, Brannavan Gnanalingam and Murdoch Stephens chat about the harsh realities of domestic life and parenting, desire and rage, loss and sexual politics in their books.
Professor Deidre Brown presents the fascinating story of the trade in treasures between 19th-century Māori and Christian missionaries.
Under 25 with a message to spread or a story to tell? Come down for a mashup of free workshops, stalls and creative crafts.
Christopher Finlayson was in the engine room of the John Key-led National government. He speaks with Kim Hill about his remarkable career, and getting to know the real John Key.
What makes our moods? What do meditation and medication do to our brains? Is it better to be happy or do good?
Learn the nuts and bolts of interviewing, journalism techniques, information gathering and structuring a story in this masterclass with award-winning RNZ journalist Guyon Espiner.
Nicky Pellegrino and Miriama Kamo share a candid and witty conversation about the realities of menopause, and how to navigate this often-challenging phase of life.
Sarah Krasnostein is one of the finest observers of human nature writing today. She joins Kim Hill to unpack the lives of ordinary people who believe in the extraordinary: things most people would consider impossible.
Dr Julia Rucklidge has spent decades looking at nutrition, anxiety, depression and stress. She discusses why we need to be mindful of what we eat.
Join Nick Bollinger in conversation with Philip Matthews about the colourful transformation of New Zealand life wrought by the counterculture in the 1960s and 1970s.
A unique masterclass with Lloyd Jones which will explore the crucial role of 'imaginative risk' in writing.
Kate De Goldi in conversation with Liz Grant about her new novel Eddy Eddy.
As a Māori or Pasifika storyteller, what do you want the future of indigenous storytelling to look like?
Ottessa Moshfegh is the queen of bitingly mordant, unsettling and atmospheric fiction. She joins us from Southern California to talk about her new novel Lapvona.
Confluence brings together Pasfika and Māori musicians and poets for a joyous celebration of connections between Polynesia and Aotearoa.
Veteran Guardian foreign correspondent and former Russia bureau chief Luke Harding speaks with Guyon Espiner about the war in Ukraine.
Get cosy in the Little Andromeda bar for fabulous star-infused performances from poets, spec-fic authors, observationists and storytellers.
Economics commentator Max Rashbrooke and chronicler of life on the poverty line, author, playwright and poet Dominic Hoey, talk wealth, poverty and opportunity with Danyl McLauchlan.
Step into a working tattoo studio to hear writers and artists reveal the tales behind their ink: what they mean, why they got them, how the world reacts.
Prize-winning Indian novelist, playwright, journalist and film maker Annie Zaidi takes you into the heart of Mumbai with Dr Hafsa Ahmed.
One of our most popular storytelling sessions returns with a bang. Prepare to be inspired and moved as five extraordinary but very different women tell powerful stories of bravery and risk from their own adventurous lives.
Our festival-within-a-festival is back for another marathon of stunning performances and outrageous gimmicks.
How do we adapt, mitigate and create in response to the climate crisis? Can good writing get us past the language of science and policy to where the ecological and human meet?
Join Mohamed Hassan in this masterclass that weaves together storytelling, journalism and memoir to explore how a personal essay can help you tell your story.
Join NUKU founder Qiane Matata-Sipu for kōrero and kai with three dynamic women from the NUKU book: broadcaster and te reo champion Stacey Morrison, 15-year-old CEO and author Georgia Latu and poet and leadership executive Dr Karlo Mila.
Ross Calman and Dr Te Maire Tau on the life of Te Rauparaha, the turbulent history between Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Toa and the peace marriages that followed.
Join Heather Morris, author of the blockbuster The Tattooist of Auschwitz, in conversation about her gripping new novel Three Sisters.
Join Lloyd Jones in conversation about how myths, fables and legends shape our understanding of the past, and of ourselves.
Two gifted satirists, Coco Solid and Murdoch Stephens, tackle housing and gentrification in their recent books. Join them for a sparky conversation about the places we live.
Emily St John Mandel, author of Station Eleven, joins Rachael King from New York City to discuss a writer’s life during a pandemic, the power of imagination, and her new novel, Sea of Tranquility.
This workshop will help you to discover two essential ingredients for new work – a pulsating idea and a voice (character) to tell the tale.
Bring the whole whānau down for Matariki stories from Aotearoa, the Pacific Islands, Australia, Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa, with award-winning journalist and author Miriama Kamo, and Māori astronomer Victoria Campbell.
Whiti Hereaka, Sascha Stronach and Cassie Hart on the craft of reimagining the past, present and future in their fiction.
Join Megan Dunn for a masterclass exploring how writing from life is an active fiction.
Ray Shipley hosts Dominic Hoey, Mohamed Hassan, Vana Manasiadis and Emma Barnes in Christchurch's favourite nocturnal salon.
A very special night of storytelling, whisky and guitars to celebrate the life and art of the brilliant Keri Hulme.
Annette Lees guides you through nature’s reclamation of the Avon Loop, revealing the sights, sounds, creatures and stars that emerge when the sun goes down.
Tiny lectures which celebrate the weird and wonderful!
New Zealand poets join forces with Chinese musicians in celebration of the sister city relationship between Waimakariri and Enshi, China,
Dr Melani Anae and Rev Alec Toleafoa reflect on the apology for the Dawn Raids, and five decades spent in peaceful resistance, educating New Zealand about ongoing racism, and Pasifika empowerment.
Noelle McCarthy in conversation about her razor-sharp, raw and luminous memoir Grand.
Pip Williams joins Nicky Pellegrino live from Adelaide to discuss The Dictionary of Lost Words, her best-selling novel that shows the English language in a new light.
Join Rebecca K. Reilly, Sue Orr and Chloe Lane in conversation with Kate De Goldi about the murky intricacies of emotional, sexual and family politics and dynamics explored in their novels.
Chris Tse and Emma Barnes host a range of special guests for a deep dive into the brilliance and diversity of Queer writing today.
Journalist, poet and observer of human behaviour Mohamed Hassan asks what it means to be Muslim in the 21st century.
Vana Manasiadis and Kerry Dononvan Brown invite you to wander through a pocket of ancient bush, respond to writing prompts, engage your senses, think about space, history and deep time – and to write.
Learn about the art and craft of writing memoir in this masterclass by Dame Fiona Kidman.
Take a spin through America’s heady counter-culture with celebrated US author Rachel Kushner.
A kōrero with Coco Solid, Rebecca K Reilly and Nicole Titihuia Hawkins about the writing, art, music or people inspire them, and how these influences show up in their work.
In this workshop, Tracey Slaughter explores how to achieve grounded, dynamic writing in the short story form.
Annette Lees on a life spent walking at night, and the pleasures of trying to capture the natural world through words.
Tenacious New Yorker staff reporter Patrick Radden Keefe joins us from New York to talk about his gripping books Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty and the newly published Rogues: True Stories if Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks.
Renowned writer and activist Rebecca Solnit joins Morgan Godfery live from the US to talk George Orwell, roses, climate, resistance and love.
Join three remarkable authors Ruth Shaw, Megan Dunn and Clementine Ford for a discussion on the complexities, challenges and joys of writing memoir.
Whether you want to professionally present your own work, or hone your editing skills to improve other people's writing, this is the workshop for you.
Acclaimed British writer David Mitchell digitally joins singer-songwriter Hollie Fullbrook of Tiny Ruins for a unique and intimate performance.
Gifted novelist and screenwriter David Mitchell beams in from his home in Ireland to talk about creativity, fictional worlds, and his stunning WORD collaboration with Tiny Ruins.
Take an after-dark tour of the museum, with poets waiting beside favourite taonga to read work that illuminates these treasures in surprising ways.
Fearless contemporary feminist Clementine Ford turns from manifesto to memoir, using her own life to reflect on the nature of love itself.
Join Dame Fiona Kidman in conversation with Morrin Rout about her memoir So Far, For Now.
The Read Aloud Schools Day is back for another year. As always, we bring six exciting children’s writers across two sessions to the stage, free for all primary and intermediate schools in Canterbury.
Once again, we’re offering incredible speakers to Christchurch secondary schools, absolutely free of charge.
WORD transforms Tūranga to tell the story of Tāwhaki which is woven into the building itself, using the spectacular central staircase as the stage.
Poets set aside the niceties and throw down like their lives depend on it. Did they nail it? You be the judge.
WORD transforms Tūranga to bring to life the story of Tāwhaki which is woven into the building itself, using the spectacular central staircase as the stage.
Join CUP to celebrate the launch of The Wandering Nature of Us Girls, Frankie McMillan’s new collection of exquisite, genre-defying prose.
Internationally award-winning haiku poet Doc Drumheller brings the ancient Japanese ginko, or haiku walk, into Waimakariri schools.
Takahē is setting up shop and making an issue on-site during WORD. Drop in to find out what goes on behind the scenes at a literary magazine.
Out and About on New Regent Street takes framed poems from the new Out Here: An Anthology of Takatāpui and LGBTQIA+ Writers from Aotearoa into our favourite restaurants, bars and shops on New Regent Street. Track them down and be in to win.
Catch mega-bestselling author Liane Moriarty live on stage for a warm and wise conversation about family life, love and friendship, and the darkness that can lie beneath the veneer of seemingly perfect lives.
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