Writers On Mondays Returns To Showcase Acclaimed And Emerging Literary Voices In Wellington
It's that time of year again! Writers on Mondays is back, with a series running from 7 July to 29 September 2025. Run by the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) in conjunction with Te Papa Tongarewa and Circa Theatre, these lunchtime events are the perfect opportunity to come in out of the winter weather and listen to vibrant conversations about some of Aotearoa's best writing. And the entire programme is free!
Award-winning books and authors feature heavily in this year's programme. Damien Wilkins, winner of the 2025 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, will be joined by last year's winner Emily Perkins to chat about his bestselling novel Delirious, which Newsroom declared 'the book of the year' in 2024. Michelle Rahurahu, fresh from winning the Hubert Church Prize for Fiction at the Ockham Book Awards, will be joined by fellow debut author Gina Butson to take us on a whirlwind tour of their novels Poorhara and The Stars are a Million Glittering Worlds.
Many of the authors in the programme are traveling from across New Zealand and even further afield. With Verb Wellington taking a pause on their fantastic readers and writers festival for 2025, Writers on Mondays offers Wellingtonians a unique opportunity to hear literary stars discuss their work this year. Chris Price, co-ordinator of Writers on Mondays, says, 'High-flying Wellington writers are in the spotlight alongside writers from across the motu and beyond: Nina Mingya Powles on a flying visit from London; Mikaela Nyman, fresh from her standout Auckland Writers Festival appearance, making the journey from Taranaki; and poet Nafanua Purcell Kersel traveling from Hawkes Bay. Several Auckland writers will also be in town for especially for the series.' Don't miss your chance to see these writers in Wellington!
Randell Cottage Writer in Residence Saraid de Silva and journalist-turned-fiction-writer Michelle Duff will be in conversation with Tina Makereti to explore their stories about multi-generational women and how we excavate the past to inform the present. de Silva's Amma has had international success, longlisted for the Women's Prize, while another featured writer, Jennifer Trevelyan, has had huge international success with her debut novel A Beautiful Family. She caught the attention of a renowned literary agent who secured her a worldwide publishing deal and Allen & Unwin has published her book in NZ. Duncan Sarkies and Brannavan Gnanalingam will be in discussion about their new novels, and why political satire is more important than ever in current times.
It wouldn't be Writers on Mondays without poetry and we have plenty of conversations and readings with poets from the freshest to our most revered. Poetry offerings include Nick Ascroft hosting poets from his edition of Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems in a reading, a conversation between Mikaela Nyman and Nafanua Purcell Kersel, and poet laureate Chris Tse talking to poets about how poetry might be reinvented. Anna Jackson, Associate Professor at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, will speak about her new collection of poetry which has been described as 'extraordinary, in both concept and form'.
The events feature many writers who previously studied at the IIML, including MA graduates Gina Butson, Michelle Rahurahu, Michelle Duff, Nafanua Purcell Kersel, Jennifer Trevelyan, Nina Mingya Powles, Chris Tse, Gregory Kan, Cadence Chung, Jiaqiao Liu, Rachel O'Neill and Amy Marguerite, plus Mikaela Nyman, who completed her PhD with the Institute. Damien Wilkins, who is Director of the IIML as well as this year's Acorn prize winner, says, 'It's a thrill to see so many writers on the programme with strong connections to the IIML taking their work to the world.'
For a glimpse of the further talent soon to emerge from the IIML's MA workshops, scriptwriting students will have their words brought to life in lunchtime performances at Circa Theatre, while the next wave of novelists, poets, and creative nonfiction writers will read in special evening events at Meow.
Writers on Mondays will run from 12.15—1.15 pm each Monday from 7 July to 29 September 2025 at Te Papa Tongarewa and Circa Theatre, with two special evening sessions at Meow. Admission is free and all are welcome. The series is supported by the Letteri family. The full programme can be viewed here.Come celebrate Aotearoa writers with us at Writers on Mondays – we look forward to seeing you there.
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Scoop
2 days ago
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Writers On Mondays Returns To Showcase Acclaimed And Emerging Literary Voices In Wellington
It's that time of year again! Writers on Mondays is back, with a series running from 7 July to 29 September 2025. Run by the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) in conjunction with Te Papa Tongarewa and Circa Theatre, these lunchtime events are the perfect opportunity to come in out of the winter weather and listen to vibrant conversations about some of Aotearoa's best writing. And the entire programme is free! Award-winning books and authors feature heavily in this year's programme. Damien Wilkins, winner of the 2025 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, will be joined by last year's winner Emily Perkins to chat about his bestselling novel Delirious, which Newsroom declared 'the book of the year' in 2024. Michelle Rahurahu, fresh from winning the Hubert Church Prize for Fiction at the Ockham Book Awards, will be joined by fellow debut author Gina Butson to take us on a whirlwind tour of their novels Poorhara and The Stars are a Million Glittering Worlds. Many of the authors in the programme are traveling from across New Zealand and even further afield. With Verb Wellington taking a pause on their fantastic readers and writers festival for 2025, Writers on Mondays offers Wellingtonians a unique opportunity to hear literary stars discuss their work this year. Chris Price, co-ordinator of Writers on Mondays, says, 'High-flying Wellington writers are in the spotlight alongside writers from across the motu and beyond: Nina Mingya Powles on a flying visit from London; Mikaela Nyman, fresh from her standout Auckland Writers Festival appearance, making the journey from Taranaki; and poet Nafanua Purcell Kersel traveling from Hawkes Bay. Several Auckland writers will also be in town for especially for the series.' Don't miss your chance to see these writers in Wellington! Randell Cottage Writer in Residence Saraid de Silva and journalist-turned-fiction-writer Michelle Duff will be in conversation with Tina Makereti to explore their stories about multi-generational women and how we excavate the past to inform the present. de Silva's Amma has had international success, longlisted for the Women's Prize, while another featured writer, Jennifer Trevelyan, has had huge international success with her debut novel A Beautiful Family. She caught the attention of a renowned literary agent who secured her a worldwide publishing deal and Allen & Unwin has published her book in NZ. Duncan Sarkies and Brannavan Gnanalingam will be in discussion about their new novels, and why political satire is more important than ever in current times. It wouldn't be Writers on Mondays without poetry and we have plenty of conversations and readings with poets from the freshest to our most revered. Poetry offerings include Nick Ascroft hosting poets from his edition of Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems in a reading, a conversation between Mikaela Nyman and Nafanua Purcell Kersel, and poet laureate Chris Tse talking to poets about how poetry might be reinvented. Anna Jackson, Associate Professor at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, will speak about her new collection of poetry which has been described as 'extraordinary, in both concept and form'. The events feature many writers who previously studied at the IIML, including MA graduates Gina Butson, Michelle Rahurahu, Michelle Duff, Nafanua Purcell Kersel, Jennifer Trevelyan, Nina Mingya Powles, Chris Tse, Gregory Kan, Cadence Chung, Jiaqiao Liu, Rachel O'Neill and Amy Marguerite, plus Mikaela Nyman, who completed her PhD with the Institute. Damien Wilkins, who is Director of the IIML as well as this year's Acorn prize winner, says, 'It's a thrill to see so many writers on the programme with strong connections to the IIML taking their work to the world.' For a glimpse of the further talent soon to emerge from the IIML's MA workshops, scriptwriting students will have their words brought to life in lunchtime performances at Circa Theatre, while the next wave of novelists, poets, and creative nonfiction writers will read in special evening events at Meow. Writers on Mondays will run from 12.15—1.15 pm each Monday from 7 July to 29 September 2025 at Te Papa Tongarewa and Circa Theatre, with two special evening sessions at Meow. Admission is free and all are welcome. The series is supported by the Letteri family. The full programme can be viewed celebrate Aotearoa writers with us at Writers on Mondays – we look forward to seeing you there.
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Historic Taonga Tūturu Returns To Paekākāriki For Exhibition
A section of what is believed to be a late 17th century waka will be on display at the Matariki & Early Paekākāriki History Exhibition and Talks over the three day Matariki weekend at St Peter's Hall in Paekākāriki. On loan from Te Papa Tongarewa, the historic treasure was found at the mouth of the Wainui Stream in Paekākāriki in 2006 and has since gone through a conservation treatment process. It will be on display for the first time for the public to view. It will take pride of place in the exhibition at St Peter's Hall over Friday 20 to Sunday 22 June from 11am to 4pm each day. Found by local Paekākāriki resident Aurelian Campbell, the piece of waka resembled driftwood sticking out of the sand but fortunately Mr Campbell recognised its significance and contacted the Historic Places Trust. 'It was exciting to have found this part of the waka after it had been in the stream for so long and I'm very happy it's coming back to the village for a visit. 'I have wondered if there are people living in Paekākāriki who are descendants of the makers or owners of the waka who may have used it to travel between Paekākāriki and Kapiti Island, or to fish from, hundreds of years ago.' The exhibition and talks will give a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of the area through stories, speakers, displays, poetry and film. Don't miss the series of talks by local historians and experts, sharing their knowledge and insights. Speakers include archaeologist Andy Dodd, history teacher Thane Maxwell, Miria Pomare (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Mutunga, Rongomaiwahine, Rongowhakaata), 6th generation Kapiti Coaster Karl Webber, Poet/storyteller/musician Apirana Taylor, and Queen Elizabeth Park park rangers John Tesoriero & Jordan Clear.
The Spinoff
13-06-2025
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The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending June 13
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books' stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 A Different kind Of Power by Jacinda Ardern (Penguin Random House, $60) The former prime minister's reign continues! Do make sure you're buying the legit copy and not any of these AI fakes… 2 Delirious by Damien Wilkins (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $38) The moving, immersive novel about an ageing couple navigating how to be in the last segments of their lives. 3 The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (Penguin Random House, $38) The second novel from celebrated writer Ocean Vuong. Here's the publisher's blurb: 'One late summer evening in the post-industrial town of East Gladness, Connecticut, nineteen-year-old Hai stands on the edge of a bridge in pelting rain, ready to jump, when he hears someone shout across the river. The voice belongs to Grazina, an elderly widow succumbing to dementia, who convinces him to take another path. Bereft and out of options, he quickly becomes her caretaker. Over the course of the year, the unlikely pair develops a life-altering bond, one built on empathy, spiritual reckoning, and heartbreak, with the power to alter Hai's relationship to himself, his family, and a community at the brink.' 4 Butter by Asako Yuzuki (Fourth Estate, $35) Did you know that former prime minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, has a podcast called A Pod of One's Own? Well now you do. And season seven, episode four is all about Butter. 5 The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $38) The sinister and spectacular alternate history that raises a lot of philosophical questions … a gripping read perfect for these rainy, wintry days. 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Raised in the castle stables, only the company of the king's fool, the ragged children of the lower city, and his unusual affinity with animals provide Fitz with any comfort. To be useful to the crown, Fitz is trained as an assassin; and to use the traditional magic of the Farseer family. But his tutor, allied to another political faction, is determined to discredit, even kill him. Fitz must survive: for he may be destined to save the kingdom.' WELLINGTON 1 A Different Kind Of Power by Jacinda Ardern (Penguin Random House, $60) 2 The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $38) 3 Terrier, Worrier by Anna Jackson (Auckland University Press, $25) An absolutely stunning new book from poet Anna Jackson. 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The narrator's innocence is pitted against several disturbing factors, all orbiting her summer in various shapes and shades, and it's that persistent dance of disturbances that creates the sustained and unrelenting tension in the novel.' 5 What to Do When I'm Gone: A Mother's Wisdom to Her Daughter by Suzy Hopkins and Hallie Bateman (Bloomsbury, $27) Winter seems a good time to contemplate this kind of inevitability? IDK. But here's the blurb: 'One sleepless night while she was in her early twenties, illustrator/writer Hallie Bateman had a painful realization: Someday, her mother would be gone. The prospect was devastating, and also scary – how would she navigate the world without the person who gave her life? She thought about all the motherly advice she would miss–advice that could help her through a host of future challenges that might arise, including the ordeal of losing a parent. The next day, Hallie asked her mother, writer Suzy Hopkins, to record step-by-step instructions for her to follow in the event of her mom's death. The list began: 'Pour yourself a stiff glass of whiskey and make some fajitas' and continued from there, walking Hallie through the days, months, and years of life after loss, with motherly guidance and support, addressing issues great and small–from choosing a life partner to baking a quiche. The project became a way for mother and daughter to discuss the everyday realities of grief, and to do so honestly, with humor, openness, and gratitude. It led to a book they hope will help other families have similar conversations.' 6 Delirious by Damien Wilkins (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $38) 7 James by Percival Everett (Picador, $38) 8 Before the Winter Ends by Khadro Mohamed (Tender Press, $30) 'I pondered for a long time how I was going to write this review,' wrote Melissa Oliver in The Spinoff. 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