Welcome!
Curious readers, passionate book lovers, conversationalists and creative minds: we are giddy to be back with the 2026 Verb Readers & Writers Festival.
We invite you to delight in bold ideas, brilliant storytelling and unexpected moments as our writers and artists explore past stories, present conversations and future worlds. From memoir to sci-fi, historical fiction to current affairs, Verb’s programme offers fresh ways to understand the world around us and imagine what comes next.
Over fifty writers and artists will take to the stage of the iconic venue, The Hannah, for a weekend filled with inspiring conversations and joyful events; where creativity bursts off the page. Book launches, workshops and lively, crafty activations will be set up in satellite venues, all in the heart of Pōneke’s CBD.
Settle in – let the stories take you somewhere new.
Guest programmers
Bee Trudgeon from Crip the Lit
Bee Trudgeon is a writer, rocker, mama, storyteller, children's librarian, perpetual student, and frequent Crip the Lit collaborator. Crip the Lit advocate for Deaf and disabled writers of Aotearoa having their unique voices, perspectives and stories included and valued in mainstream writing.
Sasha Francis
Sasha Francis is a local creative mastermind! She is a prolific maker and doer, and we’re excited to have her leading a community crafting space at Verb, to amplify voices of resistance and solidarity.
A Riot of Words
Verb 2026 festival team
Co-Directors
Kate McDonald
Gabrielle Vincent
Guest Programmers
Bee Trudgeon from Crip the Lit
Sasha Francis
Special thanks to Nadine Hura (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi), Anahera Gildea (Ngāti Tukorehe) of Te Hā o Ngā Pou Kaituhi Māori for their ongoing support.
Graphic Designer
Grant Priest
Publicist
Cheree Ridder
Production Manager
Lauren Fergusson
Verb Wellington Founders
Claire Mabey and Andrew Laking
Wellington Treasure Trust
Emma Marr, Brannavan Gnanalingam, Catherine Robertson, Melanie Hamilton
Special thanks to the Verb Community; all of our venues; and the Front of House, Technical Crew, Drivers and many Volunteers who make the festival happen.