Next Friday 29 August, I’ll have the joy of attending three great WORD Christchurch events! Even better, they’re all about history which (no surprise) is one of my great passions. It will be an enlightening and busy day.
Becoming Aotearoa: Michael Belgrave
The first event is Michael Belgrave – Becoming Aotearoa, a kōrero with Michael Stevens about Professor Belgrave’s 2024 book Becoming Aotearoa. It is the first major general history of Aotearoa published in 20 years and is a fascinating discussion of Aotearoa’s history as a process of shaping and living out a series of social agreements. Having attended the book launch last year, it’ll be great to get another opportunity to dive into the book and what it has to say about Aotearoa in the past, present and future.
This event is on at Tūranga on Friday 29 August at 10:30am in Tautoru / TSB Space, Tūranga.
Stories From the Manapōuri Hydro Project: Rosemary Baird
The second event is Stories From the Manapōuri Hydro Project, with Rosemary Baird in conversation with Liz Grant. This looks like a great delve into the stories of those who helped build the project and make one of New Zealand’s most important infrastructure projects a reality – the ‘powerful history of those who lived through extreme and punishing conditions to help build it.” Having the opportunity to hear personal stories from those who actually experienced something is always an amazing way to learn about history. It’s also great to see a fellow alumni of UC History presenting their work.
This event is on at Tūranga on Friday 29 August at 12:30pm in Tautoru / TSB Space, Tūranga.
Dame Anne Salmond: Knowledge is a Blessing
The third event is Dame Anne Salmond: Knowledge is a Blessing. This looks to be an invaluable opportunity to hear one of the great scholars of New Zealand talk about her work, her career, and how her experiences have shaped all of these. Her work has been - and continues to be - invaluable in understanding different parts of our history and bridging across our two worlds in Aotearoa, and it’s a treat to be able to go along to this for WORD Christchurch 2025.
This event is on Friday 29 August at The Piano at 4pm.
Knowledge Is A Blessing on your Mind
More WORD
Check the programme online or pick up a printed copy from your library.
- WORD Christchurch website
- Follow WORD Christchurch on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok
- Our WORD Christchurch 2025 page - Find books by writers coming to this year's festival
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