PUKAPUKA TALKS 2025

Witness what happens when these writers and editors, thinkers and commentators come together to inspire us and expand our sense of what is possible.

All books will be on sale through our festival bookstore PaperPlus Nelson, both through their shop and at their stall at our Pukapuka Talks events. Most authors will be available for book signings after their sessions.

You can also buy pukapuka online – please select the Nelson store to collect in person.

Here are all our 2025 Pukapuka Talks, organised by date:

TUESDAY 21 OCTOBER

SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP
With Michael Bennett
Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre, Stoke | 5.30pm for a 6pm start

WEDNESDAY 22 OCTOBER

HE KUPU, HE MANA: THE POWER IN WORDS
Matariki Bennett + Airana Ngarewa in conversation with Hineora McLeod-Bennett
Authors in Schools
Golden Bay High School | 2pm

PACKING A PUNCH
Michelle Duff + Airana Ngarewa in conversation with Fiona Sussman
Village Theatre, Tākaka | 6pm

THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER

HE KUPU, HE MANA: THE POWER IN WORDS
Matariki Bennett + Airana Ngarewa in conversation with Hineora McLeod-Bennett
Authors in Schools
Motueka High School | 2pm

CRIME IN CONTEXT
Michael Bennett, Rachel Paris + Fiona Sussman in conversation with Sylvan Thomson
Te Noninga Kumu Motueka Public Library | 6pm

FRIDAY 24 OCTOBER

HE KUPU, HE MANA: THE POWER IN WORDS
Matariki Bennett + Airana Ngarewa in conversation with Hineora McLeod-Bennett
Authors in Schools
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | 10am

#METOO DOWNUNDER
Ali Mau + Sonia Orchard in conversation with Dr Nikki Evans
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | 1.00pm

PUKAPUKA TALKS GALA NIGHT
Airana Ngarewa, Ali Mau, Elizabeth Knox, Hinemoa Elder, Matariki Bennett, Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku + Tāme Iti
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | 7.30pm

SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER

ARA: A MĀORI GUIDEBOOK OF THE MIND
Hinemoa Elder in conversation with Annie Fay
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | 10.00am

INSIDE THE MEDIA
Ali Mau + Michelle Duff in conversation with Naomi Arnold
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | 1.00pm

HINE TOA
Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku in conversation with Donna McLeod
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | 3.30pm

MANA
Tāme Iti in conversation with Nuki Tākao
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | 7.30pm

SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER

CHIDGEY ON FIRE
Catherine Chidgey in conversation with Claire Mabey
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | 10am

DELIRIOUS
Damien Wilkins in conversation with Elizabeth Knox
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | 1pm

SECRET ART POWERS
Jo Randerson in conversation with Meg Williams
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | 3.30pm

MONDAY 27 OCTOBER

NOURISH 
Chelsea Winter in conversation with Nicola Galloway
The Summer House | 2pm

THE STORY OF TIAHUIA
Merenia Gray in conversation with Donna McLeod
The Suter | 5.30pm

TUESDAY 28 OCTOBER

THE ART OF REVIEWING 
Workshop with Claire Mabey
Nelson Library | 10am

WEDNESDAY 29 OCTOBER

WRITING PEOPLE & PLACES
Workshop with Naomi Arnold
Nelson Library | 1pm

THURSDAY 30 OCTOBER

EMILIE WALKS TE ARAROA
Emilie + Victoria Bruce
Authors in Schools
Elma Turner Nelson Library | 10am

FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER

EMILIE WALKS TE ARAROA
Emilie + Victoria Bruce
Authors in Schools
Te Noninga Kumu Motueka Library | 10am