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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 storykeeper Megan Pōtiki.

This Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival podcast was brought to you with support from Otago Access Radio, Copyright Licensing New Zealand and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature.

You’ll find further podcasts from the 2023 festival at http://dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz and from Otago Access Radio’s website http://oar.org.nz

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 storykeeper Megan Pōtiki.

This Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival podcast was brought to you with support from Otago Access Radio, Copyright Licensing New Zealand and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature.

You’ll find further podcasts from the 2023 festival at http://dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz and from Otago Access Radio’s website http://oar.org.nz

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.

This Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival podcast was brought to you with support from Otago Access Radio, Copyright Licensing New Zealand and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature.

You’ll find further podcasts from the 2023 festival at http://dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz and from Otago Access Radio’s website http://oar.org.nz