Auckland Writers Festival 2025 Programme Officially Launched!
Published:
It’s here! The 2025 Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki programme has been officially released into the world.
Be among the first to browse the full line-up and make your plans for #AWF25.
Between 13 – 18 May you will be able to take your pick of 170 events featuring more than 220 participants from Aotearoa and across the globe. The programme is bursting with well-known literary powerhouses, global thinkers and fresh new voices. Plus, the fun is starting a little earlier this year with STREETSIDE: BRITOMART having a dedicated evening the week before the Festival on Friday 9 May.
“My co-leader, Catriona Ferguson, and I were blown away by the reception to AWF24,” says Artistic Director Lyndsey Fineran. “I’m so proud to reveal this year’s ambitious, wide-ranging and creative line-up – the result of a very talented and passionate team’s hard work – that will bring writers from near and far together, and books to life in a whole range of dynamic ways this May.”
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster or by calling 0800 111 999. The Festival is designed to be accessible and welcoming, with more than 25% of events free of charge.
Below is a small snapshot of who will be at this year's Festival and what to expect:
Pictured left to right: Colm Tóibín, David Nicholls, Samantha Harvey, Monty Soutar, Catherine Chidgey, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Ian Rankin, Rumaan Alam, Alan Hollinghurst, Mariana Enriquez, Becky Manawatu, Fiona Kidman, Tina Makereti, Brannavan Gnanalingam, Sayaka Murata and Damien Wilkins.
Audiences will enjoy the rare opportunity to share a theatre with Booker Prize winners, Ockham New Zealand Book Awards finalists, global bestsellers and local superstars.
Pictured left to right: Aroha Harris, Philippe Sands, Edward Wong, Anna Fifield, A.C. Grayling, Jacinta Ruru, Stan Grant, Mahmah Timoteo, Diana Wichtel, Marcel Dirsus, Deidre Brown & Ngarino Ellis, Michael Belgrave, Dick Frizzell, Steve Williams, Ben Macintyre and Harriet Walter.
A host of global thinkers are on hand to help make sense of a turbulent landscape, while a range of non-fiction sessions offer something for every interest from art to golf.
Pictured left to right: Torrey Peters, Elin Anna Labba, Raja Shehadeh, Silvia Park, Trent Dalton, Titaua Peu, Asako Yuzuki, Kirsty Gunn, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Lars Mytting, Kaliane Bradley, Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, Lemn Sissay, Anika Moa, Jean-Baptiste Del Amo and Shilo Kino.
Over 180 writers from Aotearoa New Zealand will be joined by international writers spanning six continents, including a special delegation of Nordic writers.
The entirely free PUKAPUKA ADVENTURES is designed for the whole whānau. There is also a ticketed family offering that includes a special gala night just for young bookworms.
Pictured left to right: A New Light, Kōrero Corner, the Book Factory, AWF24 Masterclass and Spice Salon.
See speakers’ words projected around the city, catch a free session at Kōrero Corner, get creative at the Book Factory, book a Masterclass or attend one of our late night salons.
Pictured left to right: Lyndsey Fineran, Michael Bennett, Matariki Bennett, Zech Soakai, Grace Sinclair, Gabrielle Vincent and Ruby Macomber.
Joining Lyndsey Fineran on the programming team for 2025 are Guest Co-Curators Ngā Manuhiri Kairauhī Takirua Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) and Matariki Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue); Guest Curator Zech Soakai; Programme Manager Grace Sinclair; Family and Schools Programmer Gabrielle Vincent and STREETSIDE: BRITOMART 2025 curator Ruby Macomber.
Explore the full programme available at writersfestival.co.nz.
