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orthland Writers Readers and Poets
Welcome to the Northland Writers, Readers, and Poets Festival!
Celebrating the vibrant literary talent of New Zealand's North, our festival is dedicated to bringing the voices of our local writers, poets, librarians, and publishers to the forefront. Whether you're an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or simply someone who loves the power of storytelling, this festival offers something for everyone.
Festival Highlights:
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Panels & Discussions: Engage with inspiring panelists including renowned writers, poets, passionate librarians, and influential publishers. Discover new insights into the creative process, the world of publishing, and the art of writing.
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Workshops for Writers: Join hands-on workshops designed to help writers hone their craft, explore new genres, and unlock their full potential. From beginner to advanced, these workshops are tailored to inspire and empower all levels of writers.
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Short Story Award Presentation: We are proud to celebrate young talent with the presentation of the Short Story Award for Year 13 students across Northland. Witness the creativity of the next generation and support their literary ambitions.
Our mission is simple – to highlight the incredible writers and poets that call Northland home, and to foster a deeper connection between our local literary community and readers far and wide. Whether you're looking to discover new authors, enhance your writing skills, or immerse yourself in a diverse range of literary voices, the Northland Writers, Readers, and Poets Festival is the place to be.
We invite you to join us for an inspiring weekend of creativity, learning, and celebration. Together, let’s bring the talent of the North to the world!
Special Guest Speaker
It is an absolute pleasure that we welcome one of New Zealand's most celebrated and influential writers, Dame Fiona Kidman, to WRAP, the festival for Northland writers, readers and poets.
With a career spanning several decades, Dame Fiona Kidman has firmly established herself as a master storyteller whose works touch the deepest corners of the human experience. Her novels, short stories, and poetry have earned widespread acclaim for their insight, compassion, and eloquent exploration of themes such as identity, family, and the complexities of human relationships.
Dame Fiona’s work is both deeply rooted in New Zealand's landscape and culture while also resonating with universal truths. Her novels, such as The Changeover, This Mortal Boy, and The Captive Wife, to name but a few, have captured the hearts of readers worldwide, demonstrating her exceptional ability to blend compelling narratives with rich, evocative prose.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to literature, Dame Fiona has received numerous prestigious awards, including the New Zealand Book Award for Fiction and the Ockham New Zealand Book Award. She was also made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to literature.
Join us to hear from Dame Fiona Kidman herself. Her insights into writing, her creative process, and the art of storytelling will undoubtedly inspire and challenge us all.
Special Guest Speaker Monty Soutar
Dr. Monty Glyn Soutar (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a distinguished New Zealand historian and author renowned for his contributions to Māori history and literature. Born in 1961, he spent his childhood in Ruatoria, Kawerau, and Palmerston North. He attended Hato Paora College, where he developed a strong academic foundation and a deep interest in his Māori heritage. citeturn0search0
Soutar's professional journey encompasses roles as a teacher, soldier, university lecturer, museum director, and Senior Historian for the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. He has been a member of the Waitangi Tribunal and has served on various national advisory boards, including the Archives NZ Council and the Guardians of the Alexander Turnbull Library. citeturn0search4
In 2021, he was awarded the Creative New Zealand Michael King Writer's Fellowship, a biennial grant of $100,000, to complete a historical novel trilogy. The first installment, "Kāwai: For Such a Time as This," published in 2022, became the best-selling New Zealand fiction novel of the year and was shortlisted for the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2023 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. citeturn0search0
Soutar's literary works, including "Nga Tamatoa: The Price of Citizenship" (2008) and "Whitiki! Whiti! Whiti! E! Māori in the First World War" (2019), have significantly contributed to the understanding of Māori history and culture. His writing is characterized by clarity, depth, and a commitment to historical accuracy, making his works both educational and engaging. citeturn0search3
Through his extensive research and storytelling, Dr. Monty Soutar continues to bridge the past and present, fostering a deeper appreciation of Māori heritage and its impact on New Zealand's history.
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Fri, 29 AugKerikeri