Calendar

Performance poet and “doer of many things” Harry Josephine Giles has been described as “the sharpest new tongue in Scotland” and is big on playfulness and participation. Come and join the fun!

Can democracy be saved? Explore its birth, unfolding and the challenges it faces today with British humanist and philosopher AC Grayling.

Hear two young trailblazers - Patricia Lockwood (United States) and Hera Lindsay Bird (New Zealand) - read and converse about their vivid, extraordinary and successful poetry.

Magic and technology collide in the worlds of acclaimed American fantasy fiction writer Charlie Jane Anders. She talks about fantastical fiction with local practitioner AJ Fitzwater.

Charlotte Wood was described by The Australian as one of that country’s “most original and provocative writers”. She joins Emily Perkins to discuss how Australasian fiction can prevail in these troubling times.

British non-fiction writer and novelist Francis Spufford and Wellington fantasy writer Elizabeth Knox share their ongoing discussions about faith, belief, the concept of god and more...

Widely travelled journalist and acclaimed poet Jeet Thayil burst onto the literary A-list in 2012 with his Booker-nominated novel Narcopolis. He has just published the followup, The Book of Chocolate Saints.

If one poet can be said to represent an entire city, then Mike Ladd is Adelaide and Bill Manhire Wellington. They read and converse about place, time and verse.

Dock in for free-form, fun-filled spoken word, fast-fire conversations, quizzes and giveaways, with other-worldly guests on a future-embracing Saturday night at the New Zealand Festival .

With The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, Sonny Liew not only created “probably the greatest work of art ever produced in Singapore”, but also a multi-faceted history of the comics medium itself.

Authors who spark laughter on the page are rare treasures. RA Spratt, author of the popular Nanny Piggins and Friday Barnes series, talks about the serious job of funny writing.

Leading Australian intensive care specialist Dr Charlie Corke talks about how people can mess up dying and how an end-of-life plan can give us dignity and autonomy in the face of the inevitable.

Master the four elements that Californian chef Samin Nosrat writes about in her New York Times bestseller Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and anything you cook will be delicious. 

In his new book Blind Spot, international photography critic Teju Cole features his own photography for the very first time. He discusses this and his previous wide-ranging books with Paula Morris.

Popular culture is now permeated by disturbing nightmare visions. Join three writers whose work delves into the dark – Ian Tregillis, Elizabeth Knox and Intan Paramaditha.

Journalism: what is it, and how to do it in comics? Seattle-based writer and illustrator Sarah Glidden, who works primarily in reportage comics, talks with RNZ Morning Report co-host Susie Ferguson.

Discover how Australian authors Ursula Dubosarsky and Nick Earls foster fascination for word fun in young audiences through their award-winning books, with children's writer Kate De Goldi.

Witness extraordinary photographs and hear thrilling stories of exploring New Zealand’s longest and deepest caves with Marcus Thomas and Neil Silverwood.

Former Poet Laureate, novelist, essayist and literary critic CK Stead is still astonishingly productive. He talks to Steve Braunias about his latest work and what's up next.

Historian Vincent O’Malley explores Māori and Pākehā relationships from first contact to settlement and government apology with “artivist” Moana Maniapoto, musician and writer for e-Tangata.

Three Katherine Mansfield scholars and fans celebrate the 120th anniversary of the famous New Zealander’s birth: Redmer Yska, Sarah Laing and Vincent O’Sullivan, with poet Kate Camp.

Two deep thinkers – New Zealand author and theologian Lloyd Geering and American journalist Sarah Sentilles – discuss faith, fundamentalism, hope and humanity with Kate De Goldi.

Journalist Kelly Dennett explores the as-yet unsolved case of Jane Furlong, who disappeared in 1993 and whose body was discovered five years ago. She talks with true crime aficionado Steve Braunias.

Jane Tolerton tells the stories of doctors, dentists, ambulance drivers, mathematicians and other forgotten heroes in Make Her Praises Heard Afar: The Hidden History of New Zealand Women in World War One.

Emma Espiner proposes a brilliantly sensible way of doing things in New Zealand. She discusses why Pākehā need to understand and embrace tikanga Māori with lecturer Māmari Stephens and unionist Morgan Godfery.

Australia's Jock Serong and Wellington's Brannavan Gnanalingam both have new novels and a shared love of cricket. They visit the Wairarapa to discuss migration, crime, injustice and politics.

Join American journalist Sarah Sentilles and Dowse Art Museum Director Courtney Johnston as they discuss how images of violence impact on our thinking about how war is waged, witnessed and resisted.

During this year’s Writers & Readers, you can enjoy a full range of Photobook NZ activities nearby at Te Papa, including the launch and awards, photobook fair, lectures, talks and panel discussions. 

Join Australian publishers Brow Books and writer Intan Paramaditha for the worldwide launch of her first English language collection, Apple and Knife.

Enjoy a family Saturday morning at the National Library with picture book readings in many languages by guest authors and members of Wellington’s diverse multicultural community.