Hearing Assistive Technology Available

A medieval figure eyeballs the audience, snacking on Doritos to the soundtrack of crunched celery. Live Foley art, cinematic sound and dance meet (un)reality in dancer/choreographer Rebecca Jensen and sound artist Aviva Endean’s ode to the complexity of our current world. 

After wowing us in Thoroughly Modern Māui, award-winning Rutene Spooner returns to celebrate showband legacy, idolise the greatest Māori showman and tussle with the future of Māori in entertainment. This is everything but an impersonation show. Can you be like Billy without being the butt of the joke?

From accessible housing design to the tiny house movement, and everything in between, what happens when people step outside the box in housing design and development? Join architect and housing advocate Jade Kake, disability rights advocate, essayist and poet Henrietta Bollinger and local visionary Miriana Stephens, who is leading Te Āwhina Marae’s redevelopment project, in conversation with Min Hall.   

In Aotearoa the number of people who will never have children is growing. Kathryn van Beek, one of the Otherhood anthology’s three co-editors, is joined by contributors Iona Winter, Henrietta Bollinger and Lily Duval for a more inclusive conversation about what makes a fulfilling life.  

Multi-generational migrant stories are finding compelling new ways of being told in the capable, creative hands of two of the best debut novelists in Aotearoa, Jade Kake and Saraid de Silva. Both explore belonging and the legacy of intergenerational trauma while mastering a unique way of sharing the diasporic experience. Chaired by Elizabeth Heritage. 

Rachael King and Lee Murray both evoke ancient mythological creatures from distant shores in their latest novels: the vengeful kelpie and the nine-tailed fox spirit, húli jīng.  In this session they will explore how myth not only maketh mystical realism but also elucidates key contemporary challenges. Chaired by Claire Mabey.  

In her very first festival appearance following the publication of Kataraina, Becky Manawatu discusses the highly anticipated sequel to her bestselling debut novel, Auē, alongside friend and fellow kaituhi Māori Talia Marshall, whose essay collection, Whaea Blue, is one of this year’s most anticipated non-fiction pukapuka. Chaired by Nuki Tākao.  

From broke solo mum to award-winning comedian and TV star in five years – is this a dream? Join Courtney Dawson for a hilarious wakeup call filled with warm, anecdotal humour and banger punch lines. 

RNZ presenter Susie Ferguson recounts her years as a war correspondent while battling endometriosis and discusses her breathtaking memoir on tenacity and self-belief, which shines a light on a health system that isn’t made for us and proves the importance of being loud with our truths. Chaired by Naomi Arnold.

Join us to celebrate Patricia Grace’s eighth short story collection, the astonishing Bird Child and Other Stories, as well as her remarkable writing life over almost 50 years. Patricia will discuss her latest book, her approach to writing and how she has collaborated with her talented whānau in conversation with Donna McLeod.

Conservation advocates Mike Joy and Dave Hansford both know what it’s like to raise their voices, especially when others disregard, or don’t agree, with scientific evidence. They discuss the role storytelling must play in triumphing over commercial and political agendas. Chaired by Debs Martin.

Flowing out of our curatorial statement, we explore the space between tangata (people) and wai (water) with a mini documentary film festival. Come ride the waves with us! 

Dive deeper into the relationship between tangata (people) and wai (water) with our mini documentary film festival; featuring Gaza Surf Club (Germany, 2016).

An exploration of identity, desire, family, and of being disabled and Pasifika, AIGA (Sāmoan for family/whānau) is ground-breaking theatre told through the lens of Pacific Toa award-winner Lusi Faiva.

Experience the greatest concert film of all time like never before: Stop Making Sense was shot over three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre in December 1983 and features Talking Heads‘ most memorable songs. Dance floor tickets available! 

A three-day rave condensed into an award-winning art performance: three dancers, non-stop, endurance, club culture. A spectacle of the human body as victim to music, passion and our endless desire to achieve more. Prepare to be (literally) moved. Dance floor tickets available! 

Join World of WearableArt Founder & Ambassador Dame Suzie Moncrieff, Show Director Malia Johnston and award-winning designer Gill Saunders for an entertaining evening of memories.