Kōrero

Novelist Rebecca K Reilly (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Wai) - winner of the Hubert Church Prize for best first book of fiction at the 2022 Ockham NZ Book Awards - and poet Rebecca Hawkes read from their stunning debut books. 

Did you know that night doesn’t fall, it rises? That there are three grades of twilight? If you have ever wondered what goes on at night beyond the lit-up boundaries of our human world, then this special event, which explores the stories and themes in Annette Lees’ latest book, After Dark: Walking into the nights of Aotearoa, is for you. Ruru (owls) are likely to be our companions. 

Throughout the festival don’t miss our innovative digital commission, which celebrates incredible Aotearoa writers, spoken word artists and storytellers exploring the theme, ‘Belonging’. The series will be headlined by Ko Wai Koe (from whose waters do you flow?), a spoken word/waiata/music performance by Motueka-based collective, Te Ora Hā, and will be presented throughout the festival, for free, via our digital stages and online.

Inspired by the incredible THAW installation, we've put together a series of events and workshops across the Festival to continue the call to action, including an opportunity to contribute with visual artist Gabby O'Connor.

We’re proud to feature a star-studded line up – plus some of the most exciting new literary talent in Aotearoa – in this year’s Pukapuka Talks.

Anke Richter’s Cult Trip is a gripping, visceral, thriller-like investigation into Centrepoint, Gloriavale and Agama Yoga. In this session, Noelle McCarthy quizzes Richter about the dynamics that turn a group into a cult, and why we are all susceptible to undue influence. 

Bestselling authors Wendyl Nissen and Charity Norman have both ‘been through the fire’ of supporting a parent with dementia, which led to them writing two astonishing books. In this session, they will explore what works when it comes to dementia treatment and care and what desperately needs to change to ensure our loved ones can die with dignity.

In this special live Showy Ovaries performance, the irrepressible comedian Penny Ashton will talk to bestselling novelist Nicky Pellegrino and acclaimed health writer Niki Bezzant, who both written about menopause. No one is too young for this session; knowing what’s ahead may change how you live your life today!

What says poetry slam more than a boxing ring?

Time to take your gloves off, Whakatū, for a night of scintillating alliteration, logophile uppercuts and a rhythmic pummelling from some of Victory and beyond’s greatest voices.

Elizabeth Knox CNZM speaks with Catherine Chidgey about her two latest books: The Axeman’s Carnival (out in October) and her critically acclaimed 2020 novel Remote Sympathy. In both books, Chidgey chips away the façade of domesticity to expose darker places.

Grand: Becoming my mother’s daughter is an astonishing debut about mothers and daughters, drinking, birth and loss, running away and homecoming, from prize-winning writer and broadcaster Noelle McCarthy. Fellow journalist/broadcaster Wendyl Nissen, who had her own mother difficulties and challenges with alcohol, facilitates the conversation.

Whiti Hereaka and Nic Low have written two remarkable books that tell ancient Māori stories in fresh and compelling ways, with Hereaka flipping perspectives on a well-known tale, and Low using tramping and climbing adventures to bring the past to life.

What have Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) and Christine Leunens got in common? Well, their novels have not only been snapped up by numerous international publisher but the stories are also currently making their way from the page to the screen. Doug Brooks facilitates this ‘behind the scenes’ discussion about the adaptation of Better the Blood and In Amber's Wake.

Kim Hill invites Paul Tapsell (Te Arawa, Tainui), Mike Joy, Dave Lowe and Kera Sherwood-O’Regan (Kāi Tahu) to explain how we can respond to the climate crisis and transform our lands, waterways and communities.

In this intimate korero, Hinemoa Elder will discuss her new pukapuka, Wawata – Moon Dreaming, which explores how living in sync with the moon can help us find a growing sense of place and harmony. Kōrero facilitated by Olivia Hall.

NUKU Live is part of a creative and social impact storytelling movement that amplifies the voices of kickass Indigenous wāhine. Meet the book’s creator Qiane Matata-Sipu and two of the wāhine featured in the pukapuka: Dr Acushla Dee Sciascia and Puawai Cairns. 

WORD Christchurch and Pukapuka Talks present this very special event to celebrate the life of the enigmatic and brilliant Keri Hulme (1947-2021), author of the bone people, with Patricia Grace, Whiti Hereaka, Marian Evans, Matt Salmons, Anna Hulme and Ariana Tikao, MCed by Becky Manawatu.

Esteemed Aotearoa playwright and author Renée (Ngāti Kahungunu) wrote and published her first crime novel when she was 90. Blood Matters is the riveting sequel to the 2020 Ngaio Marsh finalist The Wild Card, and is another tale of Porohiwi, a small town that doesn't yield its secrets without a fight. Becky Manawatu (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe, Waitaha) the author of bestselling novel Auē, will interview her mentor.

Join us to celebrate the launch of Robbie Burton’s new memoir, Bushline, a deeply personal memoir in which he pays homage to a life shaped by the power of the landscape of Aotearoa. Hosted by Annette Lees.

Free but bookings required.

Join acclaimed Whakatū Nelson-based food writer Nicola Galloway at the Food Factory demo kitchen to celebrate the publication of her new pukapuka, The Homemade Table. Nicola will reveal how focusing on the seasons has revolutionised her approach to growing, harvesting, storing, and preparing food.

Bestselling author and Instagram success story Rebekah Ballagh will share with fellow authors/creatives the story of how she built her audience on social media and how doing so not only helped her promote her books but influenced their creation in the first place.

Selina Tusitala Marsh visits schools to talk about her two inspirational graphic novels for young readers, Mophead (winner of the 2020 Margaret Mahy Award) and Mophead Tu (a finalist for the 2021 award). In the telling of these heartfelt and often hilarious tales, Selina encourages tamariki to embrace their differences.

The international event Slow Art Day was created to encourage us all to look at art for a little longer, in the hope that we not only see more, but also get to know the works in greater detail. At the same time, slowing down, and being present, is one of those things that are somehow so hard to do in our busy lives, and yet, so important for our wellbeing.

Hear about what shaped Rita Angus' unique vision in an illustrated talk and then follow this with a tour of the exhibition.