Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival

In Te Pūao: The Place Where the River Meets the Sea, we explore the realms of traditional Mātauraka Māori and Pūrakau. Join Witi Ihimaera, Linda Tuhiwai Smith and Monty Soutar in conversation with mana whenua narrative expert and Ahi Kā story keeper Megan Pōtiki.

This podcast was recorded live at the Regent Theatre on the first night of the Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival for their Gala Celebration – Te Pō Whakanui i Witi Ihimaera! The event celebrated 50 years of literary inspiration and influence with Stacey Morrison and beloved author Witi Ihimaera.

Hear from a bevy of writers, poets and musicians including Emma Espiner, Poet Laureate Chris Tse, Fiona Farrell, David Eggleton, Ariana Tikao and more as they reflect on Witi’s influence on their work and the written landscape of Aotearoa. The festival gala was presented by the University of Otago.

In this podcast we explore Indigenous understandings and practices of wellbeing and healing from trauma, grounded in the knowledge of ancestors and based on research.

During this conversation, renowned scholar Linda Tuhiwai Smith and Professor Anne-Marie Jackson discuss tikanga Māori concepts, decolonising approaches and prioritising mauri ora for health and well being.

We all know people captivated by conspiracy stories – but are we talking enough about the darker origins of these stories? How much do we really know?

In Narrative Warfare: What Happens When Great Stories  Go to Work for Nefarious Purposes, Matthew Cunningham and Sanjana Hattotuwa, with chair Ian Telfer, unpack how stories aid the social and cultural intolerances that have shaped and continue to shape Aotearoa society.

This session was presented by the Otago Daily Times. It includes strong language.

Take an imaginative visit to Hone Tuwhare’s crib at Kākā Point, conjured by the reflections and responses of poets, artists and the newly established Tuwhare Creative Residency.

Join your guides Jeanette Wikaira, Manaia Tuwhare-Hoani, Tracey Tawhiao, Ati Teepa and Cilla McQueen as we embark on this journey together.

This session was presented by the Hone Tuwhare Trust. It includes strong language.

Youth activism has been a defining feature of Aotearoa’s recent political landscape. In these unsettling times, the political actions of young New Zealanders are a source of inspiration, challenge and renewal. In this session, presented by the University of Otago, Ihumātao activist Qiane Matata-Sipu is joined by author Karen Nairn and chair Mania Tuwhare-Hoani, to share stories and insights from the frontline.

On her birthday, and to commemorate the centenary year of her death, over 100 fans gathered to celebrate the life and work of Katherine Mansfield, New Zealand’s iconic, boundary-pushing literary giant. Presented by the Otago University Press, join chair Michelle Elvy and Katherine Mansfield biographer Redmer Yska – author of Katherine Mansfield’s Europe: Station to Station as they delve into the lasting legacy her work.