The WORD Christchurch Spring Festival is a colourful explosion of stories, ideas, poetry and song. This season we are celebrating the wealth of talent in Aotearoa, with 65 events and 100 of our finest writers, thinkers and entertainers. Check out some of Christchurch’s most interesting venues, with events such as the gala night Brave Worlds, The Great WORD Debate and Adventurous Women at the Piano, plenty of free family and book events at Tūranga, art, poetry and politics at Christchurch Art Gallery, and fringe events in the city’s quirky bars, cafes, and theatre spaces. Buy a book from the festival bookshop and meet the author to have it signed. There’s something for all word lovers at WORD.
Events are ordered chronologically by date and time; use the filters to find types of events, or use the search button to find a writer and their events.
Leading Colin McCahon scholar, writer and curator Peter Simpson, in conversation with Grant Banbury, discusses and illustrates the evolution of McCahon’s work and life over his long career.
Coinciding with WORD Christchurch, the CPC spring season reading on 28 October features Michelle Elvy, David Gregory and Karen Zelas. This is an umbrella event.
Join Fiona Farrell for the launch of her new poetry collection, Nouns, Verbs, etc, published by Otago University Press.
Join Mohamed Hassan as he launches National Anthem, a collection of poetry that explores themes of displacement, nationalism and mental health. With special guests Dominic Hoey, Daisy Speaks and Dietrich Soakai.
SOLD OUT Four extraordinary women tell stories from their adventurous lives. Featuring Selina Tusitala Marsh, Kaiora Tipene, Miriam Lancewood and Annabel Langbein. Hosted by Miriama Kamo.
You're invited to attend the award ceremony for this year's Heritage Literary Awards, hosted by the New Zealand Society of Authors, including readings and a light supper.
Where the poets throw down like gladiators and the audience wins. It’s about the poetry, not the points so buckle up and don’t forget your hanky. Hosted by Ciaran Fox and Doc Drumheller.
AJ Fitzwater and Joanna Orwin are joined by winners of the Heritage Book Awards to discuss their new books, each rooted in New Zealand history.
The Read Aloud Schools Day is a festival institution that celebrates writing for children and young adults and brings together some of our best New Zealand authors to inspire youthful readers and writers.
A celebration of food and culture from women of Christchurch, put together by students from Rangi Ruru College and chaired by Annabel Langbein.
Writers and tutors from the Hagley Writers' Institute launch the latest issue of their journal, The Quick Brown Dog.
You can't choose your family, or can you? Carl Nixon (The Tally Stick) and Chloe Lane (The Swimmers) discuss their gripping new novels with Kirsten McDougall.
SOLD OUT Master short fiction writer Owen Marshall leads a workshop on craft to improve your own writing.
Jenny Sew Hoy Agnew and Trevor Agnew present the remarkable story of Choie Sew Hoy, whose illustrious career changed the shape of commerce and industry in Otago and Southland.
With a recent novel and story collection, and a forthcoming volume of poems, Vincent O'Sullivan, one of our most acclaimed and versatile writers, talks to Paul Millar about his writing career so far.
In Ko Aotearoa Tātou | We Are New Zealand, writers and artists respond to the questions: What is New Zealand? Who are New Zealanders? With Selina Tusitala Marsh, Ghazaleh Golbakhsh, essa may ranapiri, Donna Miles-Mojab, Mohamed Hassan, and more.
With tender and funny anecdotes and gorgeous recipes, Bella is Annabel Langbein's must-read memoir. She discusses her remarkable life and work with Jo Malcolm.
SOLD OUT - Join Pip Adam, Eamonn Marra, and Laura Borrowdale, with your host, guest programmer Ray Shipley, as they tell hopeful, soothing small stories with live illustrations from The Spinoff's Toby Morris. Please note that unfortunately Tusiata Avia is not able to appear in the event, but Ana Mulipola will be reading Tusiata's story in her place.
SOLD OUT We open the weekend with a glittering event, with six of the festival's distinguished writers responding to the theme of courage. With Witi Ihimaera, Mohamed Hassan, Laura Jean McKay, Becky Manawatu, Elizabeth Knox and Behrouz Boochani, hosted by John Campbell.
Ray Shipley introduces late night poetry - it's cosy but not too comfortable. With Mohamed Hassan, Freya Daly Sadgrove, Dominic Hoey, essa may ranapiri and more...
Novelist Laura Jean McKay (The Animals in That Country) and poet Philip Armstrong (Sinking Lessons) both use animal protagonists in their work, and both work in the field of animal studies. Here they appear in conversation and ask: what would the animals say if they could talk to us?
Economist Brian Easton discusses his new book Not in Narrow Seas, a major contribution to the history of New Zealand, with Geoffrey Rice.
Join the family story hunt in the library! Find clues that will lead you to the next story. With Selina Tusitala Marsh, Weng Wai Chan, Loopy Tunes, Jonathan King and Elissa Weissman.
SOLD OUT Take a walk along the Ōtākaro river and encounter poets and storytellers whose works are engraved there. With David Eggleton, Frankie McMillan, Fiona Farrell and Bernadette Hall, led by Joseph Hullen.
Do you dream of having your words brought to life on a stage or screen? Join scriptwriters as they discuss the opportunties and pitfalls for young writers wanting to make it in the world of theatre and film. Featuring Nathan Joe, Ghazaleh Golbakhsh and Juanita Hepi.
More tickets to this event may be available. Please try at the door.
Sally Blundell, Golriz Ghahraman, and Sacha McMeeking – contributors from Freerange Press’s Public Knowledge – discuss the state of our public knowledge, the implications for democracy and what we can do better.
MORE TICKETS RELEASED - AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
A Long Time Coming tells the extraordinary story of Ngāi Tahu’s treaty settlement negotiations with the Crown. Join author Martin Fisher, along with Te Maire Tau, Tā Tipene O’Regan and Chris Finlayson, as they discuss the claim that spanned two centuries.
Grahame Sydney, Brian Turner and Owen Marshall offer a love song to the South Island, in particular Central Otago, with Fiona Farrell.
In the title poem of Bill Manhire's new collection, we hear a baby say Wow to life. Join the poet and John Campbell for readings and conversation, featuring his signature wordplay and humour.
In Husna's Story, Farid Ahmed tells the life story of his wife, who was murdered in the March 15 mosque attacks. In doing so, he outlines his philosophy of forgiveness, peace and love. He appears in conversation with Raf Manji.
Llew Summers: Body and Soul, a new book published by Canterbury University Press, depicts the work and life of one of New Zealand’s most recognisable sculptors. Author John Newton talks with Sally Blundell.
Elizabeth Knox, Jonathan King, and Erin Harrington dissect what they love about classic American horror writer Shirley Jackson with Noelle McCarthy.
The WORD Youth Jury presents an accessible, all-ages event with readings in English, te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign language.
Recent Acorn Foundation Prize winner Becky Manawatu discusses her powerful novel Auē with Emma Espiner.
Two extraordinary women, Golriz Ghahraman and Ghazaleh Golbakhsh, share their experiences as migrants from Iran, growing up in New Zealand and forging careers, with Donna Miles-Mojab.
Four writers discuss their approach to truth in their work. With Nathan Joe, essa may ranapiri, Lil O'Brien and AJ Fitzwater hosted by Ray Shipley. In support of Qtopia.
Writers write letters to their city, whether they grew up here or are recent arrivals. With Nathan Joe, Juanita Hepi, Lil O'Brien, Erik Kennedy and Behrouz Boochani.
A celebration of New Zealand women's poetry with Wild Honey author Paula Green and three generations of some of our finest female poets.
Welcome to the presentation of the Ngaio Marsh Awards for Best Novel and Best First Novel including Becky Manawatu, Christina O'Reilly, Stephen Johnson, Gudrun Frerichs and Renée.
Join Witi Ihimaera for an evening of stories from his memoir Native Son and his new book Navigating the Stars: Māori Creation Myths, accompanied by sound artist and musical polymath Kingsley Spargo.
For a taste of all things wordy, pop in to and about the characterful spaces of New Regent Street. Featuring local and national talent in sessions on body horror, life writing, poetry, science fiction, and more.
SOLD OUT The Great WORD Debate is back! This year's moot is that 'It's the end of the world as we know it'. With Toby Manhire, Paula Morris, Hana O'Regan, Guy Williams, Tom Scott and Siouxsie Wiles, hosted by Joe Bennett.
Join Tusiata Avia for the launch of her much-anticipated new collection The Savage Coloniser Book, with special guests Selina Tusitala Marsh and FAFSWAG's Pati Solomona Tyrell. Doors open at 7.30pm.
The Unicorn presents a night of spooky and dark storytelling, with musical accompaniment and appearances from special WORD guests, Juanita Hepi and Vanda Symon.
Dr Siouxsie Wiles and cartoonist Toby Morris (The Spinoff) discuss with Noelle McCarthy their communication campaign of pandemic education that has gone viral (excuse the pun) around the world.
Pip Adam, author of the Ockham Award-winning The New Animals, discusses her latest novel Nothing to See, and her unique world view, with fellow novelist Carl Shuker.
Meegwai Productions presents an intergenerational experience for families to create stories together through connection, play and improvisation.
Poet Laureate David Eggleton invites five poets to respond to the landscape of Te Waipounamu. With Cilla McQueen, Kay McKenzie Cooke, James Norcliffe, Owen Marshall and Bernadette Hall.
Elizabeth Knox discusses her latest novel, The Absolute Book, along with libraries and world building, with Noelle McCarthy.
Tom Scott follows up his recent best-selling memoir with a highly anticipated biography of Charles Upham VC.
Join junior fiction writers Tania Roxborogh, Heather McQuillan and Bill Nagelkerke with their adventure novels for 8-12 year olds, with Zac McCallum.
Matt Calman and Jehan Casinader talk with Ekant Veer about their experience with depression and their individual paths to mental health.
An afternoon of activities for young people curated by our Youth Jury. With games, zine-making and workshops on creative writing with Karen Healey and illustration with Katie O'Neill.
Two novels, by Carl Shuker (A Mistake) and Eileen Merriman (The Silence of Snow), take medical mishaps as starting points. Chaired by writer, med student and podcast host Emma Espiner.
Poetry is the best playground! Join Paula Green and play with what poems can do. You'll use your ears and eyes and imaginations to make words soar and slide and pop.
Join musical duo Loopy Tunes as they launch their latest picture books He Kirihimete Karakara Kiwi/A Colourful Kiwi Christmas and Ko Te Pūtake Mo Te Kirihimete/The Reason For Christmas.
Eileen Merriman discusses her novels for teens, which often explore sensitive topics, with fellow young adult author Karen Healey.
Vincent O'Sullivan, Ralph Hotere's biographer, is joined by Bill Manhire, Cilla McQueen and Lisa Reihana to discuss the life and work of one of our greatest artists.
Step right up and discover something strange with this collection of short and intimate lectures on curious subjects from Siouxsie Wiles, Pip Adam and Margaux Warne.
We celebrate 50 years of the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship by inviting five fellows to write a letter to Mansfield. With Paula Morris, Vincent O’Sullivan, Bill Manhire, Carl Nixon and Fiona Farrell.
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