Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival

Dunedin Writers And Readers Festival Podcast Image

Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival 2025 is curated with the theme of Ahi Kā – keeping the home fires burning, our festival celebrates the literary spirit of Ōtepoti Dunedin, a UNESCO City of Literature.

We would like to extend our thanks to Mana Whenua ki Ōtākou, me Puketeraki, the Hone Tuwhare Trust, Otago Access Radio, and all of our generous supporters for helping make these podcasts possible.

Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival
Ahi Kā at Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival

Ahi Kā - The Long Burning Fire (Pōwhiri)

The Pōwhiri before the Panel Session chaired by Kiringāua Cassidy and Nadia Wesley-Smith. Writers and guests gathered at Ōtākou Marae to share stories about and around the home fire. Nourish your wairua by listening to acclaimed writers as they, in turn, stoke the long-burning fire of ahi kā.

Photo: Rewa Pene Photography

Link to Episode
Ahi Ka - Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival

Ahi Kā - The Long Burning Fire (Panel)

Chaired by Kiringāua Cassidy and Nadia Wesley-Smith, writers and guests gathered at Ōtākou Marae to share stories about and around the home fire. Nourish your wairua by listening to acclaimed writers as they, in turn, stoke the long-burning fire of ahi kā.

Photo: Kaiwhakaahua Studio

Link to Episode
Catherine Chidgey at Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival

The Book of Guilt: In Conversation with Catherine Chidgey

Acclaimed novelist Catherine Chidgey and OAR FM’s Jeff Harford explore fiction’s power to illuminate the shadows of human nature. In The Book of Guilt, Chidgey crafts a spine-chilling vision of alternate 1979 England, where children are classified by their worth to society. This haunting yet oddly comforting novel asks the questions we’d rather avoid: who deserves to belong, and who gets to decide?

Photo: Rewa Pene Photography

Link to Episode
DWRF Peta

It’s been six weeks since my last confession: In Conversation with Peta Mathias

Award-winning food writer and TV presenter Peta Mathias serves up her most deliciously indiscreet stories yet in this razor-sharp memoir. In conversation with Harriet Moir — this is Mathias at her most irresistible.

Photo: Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival

Link to Episode
Apirana Taylor at Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival

Laying Siege to Lips - Hone Tuwhare Trust Poetry Series

Join celebrated poet Apirana Taylor as he lays siege to lips with every syllable. Echoing Hone Tuwhare’s legacy of language that stirs, seduces, and stands its ground, this is an event where words are performed! Hosted by acclaimed playwright and provocateur Victor Rodger, and presented by the Hone Tuwhare Trust.

Photo: Rewa Pene Photography

Link to Episode
DWRF Tama Iti

Mana: In Conversation with Tāme Iti

Tāme Iti is an artist, actor, poet, entrepreneur, beekeeper, gardener, father and grandfather with a bone-deep commitment to his practice. On the occasion of publishing Mana, his memoir and story, we celebrate Tāme through kōrero with hosts Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Komene Cassidy. This podcast contains use of strong language.

Photo: Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival

Link to Episode
Grant Roberston at Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival.

Anything Could Happen: In Conversation with Grant Robertson

Join Grant Robertson with host Ian Telfer for an intimate look behind the curtain of New Zealand politics during some of our most defining moments. Robertson discusses the art of political storytelling, why vulnerability can be a strength in leadership, and his enduring optimism about Aotearoa’s potential, even in turbulent times.

Photo: Rewa Pene Photography

Link to Episode