WEDNESDAY 23RD / THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER
The Launch of Dance-Floor Romance
Join us to celebrate this new, heartbreakingly good poetry collection by Chris Tse, with special guests.
Wednesday 23rd September | 6.00pm – 8.30pm
Meow
HIDE: a manuscript launch
ngā pukapuka pekapeka launches a new chapbook, written and illustrated by Rebecca Hawkes, with a cellist performance by Emily Winter.
Thursday 24th September | 6.00pm – 8.30pm
Bedlam & Squalor
FRIDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER
Janet Frame Memorial Lecture: Fleur Beale
Aotearoa’s renowned children’s writer, Fleur Beale presents the annual NZSA lecture.
Friday 25th September | 5.30pm – 6.30pm
The National Library
A Lawrence & Gibson Triple Book Launch
Not one, not two, but three new books to celebrate by Brannavan Gnanalingam, Murdoch Stephens and Frances Pavletich.
Friday 25th September | 6.00pm – 7:30pm
Unity Books
Verb Showcase: If This Finds You
Seven writers share their penned letters to a reader of the future. Hosted by Melody Thomas.
Friday 25th September | 6.30pm – 7.45pm
The Hannah
Fever! A Poetry Gala
Six poets take to the stage to share their poems that thrum the line, ‘pain and pleasure share a heart’. Hosted by Chris Tse.
Friday 25th September | 8:30pm – 9:30pm
The Hannah
SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER
The Long Game of Reclamation
Esteemed writer, Witi Ihimaera Smiler joins Puawai Cairns to share a kōrero about his recent memoir and illustrious career.
Saturday 26th September | 10.00am – 11.00am
The Hannah
A Riot of Words
Join Sasha Francis in this free session where words and craft collide.
Saturday 26th September | 11.30am – 4.30pm
The Tasting Room
Carrying the Past Forward
Wāhine Māori writers Hana Buchanan, Lauren Keenan and Terri Te Tau discuss writing whakapapa, whenua and history across genres with Matariki Williams.
Saturday 26th September | 11.30am – 12.30pm
The Hannah
Dame Silvia Cartwright: That Woman
Anna Fifield joins Dame Silvia Cartwright to discuss the stories from her life and career in law.
Saturday 26th September | 1.00pm – 2.00pm
The Hannah
Seasoned Self, Disclosing Self: On Memoir
Elizabeth Knox, Joseph Trinidad and Tusiata Avia join Emma Ng to reveal the fragility of writing memoir.
Saturday 26th September | 2.30pm – 3.30pm
The Hannah
Brannavan Gnanalingam: U.X.O.
Award-winning writer, Brannavan Gnanalingam joins Balamohan Shingade to speak about the consequences of war and the role of literature in his ninth novel.
Saturday 26th September | 4.00pm – 5.00pm
The Hannah
What the Walls Remember
Doireann Ní Ghríofa (Ireland) and Noelle McCarthy discuss the echoing effects of the dead within their work, with Claire Mabey.
Saturday 26th September | 6.00pm – 7.00pm
The Hannah
Jon Toogood: Home Again
Jon Toogood opens up about his life and stories from a successful music career, with Nick Bollinger. With live music.
Saturday 26th September | 7.30pm – 8.30pm
The Hannah
Don’t Worry, Tech will Save Us – A Verb Debate
Two teams battle it out in this fun, fast-paced performative event with writers, comedians and a politician.
Saturday 26th September | 9.00pm – 10.15pm
The Hannah
SUNDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
The Wild Ones
Hop, skip and jump into spring with Claire Mabey, Giselle Clarkson and Isobel Joy Te Aho-White for stories, creatures and adventures in bloom.
Sunday 27th September | 10.00am – 12.00pm
Discovery Garden Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
Michelle de Kretser: Theory & Practice
Michelle de Kretser (Australia) dives in to her award-winning novel with writer and lecturer Kate Duignan.
Sunday 27th September | 10.00am – 11.00am
The Hannah
From the Floor
Four formidable writers share their proposed maiden speeches. Join us to hear what they want to see in Aoteroa’s future. Chaired by Toby Manhire.
Sunday 27th September | 12.00pm – 1.00pm
The Hannah
The Politics of Disabled Joy
Deaf and disabled writers share readings and kōrero that will annihilate the ableist tropes between them and their good times. Emceed by The D*List’s Olivia Shivas.
Sunday 27th September | 2.00pm – 3.00pm
The Hannah
Truth in the Telling
Asher Emanuel and Aaron Smale join Māni Dunlop to expose how they tell other people’s stories, and what techniques they use.
Sunday 27th September | 3.30pm – 4.30pm
The Hannah
Your Reading List
Join Catherine Robinson as she leads an entertaining book club style event with Michelle de Kretser, Elizabeth Knox, Ingrid Horrocks, Chris Tse and Balamohan Shingade.
Sunday 27th September | 5.00pm – 6.00pm
The Hannah
WORKSHOPS
Fear & Loathing in First Draft with Michelle de Kretser
Michelle de Kretser, Sri Lankan Australian writer leads an intimate workshop for writers dwelling on their first draft.
Saturday 26th September | 10:00am – 11:30am
Haumia ki Te Aro – Toi Aro
That’s What She Said: Playing with Dialogue with pip adam
Designed for writers of all forms and levels, pip adam will guide you through a reflective workshop about the power of speech.
Saturday 26th September | 12.00pm – 1.30pm
Haumia ki Te Aro – Toi Aro
Groundwork: Writing for Live Performance with Victor Rodger
Develop tools to access your voice in this interactive workshop to shape ideas into scripts for performance with Victor Rodger.
Sunday 27th September | 10.00am – 4.00pm
Meeting Room – The Thistle Hall