Our librarians are getting ready to WORD. Here are some of the hottest of hot tips for WORD Christchurch Festival is on from 1 to 6 September.
Mike: New Aotearoa Gothic
"We tend to lean into the dark here in Aotearoa, when it comes to our arts at least, or if you're anything like me, just in general. That's why I'm excited for the New Aotearoa Gothic panel discussion between authors Laura Vincent, Molly Crighton, Laura Borrowdale, and hosted by Noelle McCarthy (fellow Dracula obsessionist). How could I not be! The chance to hear four voices that are exemplifying our current strain of Aotearoa Gothic is one not to be missed."
Book now for New Aotearoa Gothic, Sunday 6 September from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Katie: Adventurous Women: Goldfields and Mountains
"As an avid tramper and climber, I'm excited to learn more about the remarkable women who helped shape Aotearoa New Zealand's history of exploration, mountaineering, and adventure at Adventurous Women: Goldfields and Mountains.
The event features two fascinating speakers. Julia Bradshaw will discuss her book Digging Deep, which challenges the long-held portrayal of women as simply "dutiful companions" on the goldfields and shines a light on their resilience, independence, and contribution to life in these demanding environments. Hazel Phillips will share stories from Great Hearts, uncovering the lives of pioneering women mountaineers who pushed beyond the social expectations of their time to pursue ambitious goals among the peaks surrounding Aoraki Mount Cook.
There are some remarkable photographs in this book that show how these early alpine adventurers faced more than just harsh weather and challenging terrain. They also had to navigate the strict expectations of Victorian decorum, tackling glaciers and mountain peaks in long skirts and elegant dresses! Clad in their Sunday best, they ventured onto the ice carrying little more than a dainty ice axe and a length of hemp rope as their essential accessories. While my modern mountain gear may not possess quite the same sense of ‘dignity’, it certainly makes negotiating glaciers and peaks a great deal safer and more comfortable!
The topic is particularly meaningful to me because one of these alpine trailblazers was my great-aunt, Greta Stevenson, a pioneering botanist, mycologist, and mountaineer who championed women's place in both science and the mountains. I'd like to think that my own fascination with spotting unusual fungi while out tramping comes, at least in part, from her. I'm looking forward to learning more about her story and discovering even deeper connections to the extraordinary women who helped forge New Zealand's mountaineering history."
Book now for Adventurous Women: Goldfields and Mountains, Sunday 6 September from 10.30am to 11.30am at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Armand: The New Masculinity
"Growing up as a man has left me with more questions than answers. The one that returns most often is: Why do I feel so uncertain in my own masculinity? And close behind it comes another: Why does it feel like something I have to figure out alone?
The older I get, the more I realise many men are asking the same questions. We are all searching for language, connection, and a way of understanding ourselves.
That's why I'm excited about this conversation with four authors whose work shines a light into those difficult spaces. Breton Dukes (Party Boy) writes of reckoning with the past and finding resolution later in life. Lawrence Patchett (Have This Heart) explores the quiet longing for connection, humour, and belonging. John Summers (Green Sea) examines the ache and humiliation of isolation, while Joseph Trinidad (Lucky Creatures) reflects on the journey of coming out and becoming known.
Together, their stories offer different ways of thinking about masculinity, vulnerability, and what it means to find your place in the world."
Book now for The New Masculinity, Saturday 5 September 4.30pm to 5.30pm at Tautoru / TSB Space, Tūranga
Troy: Questions I'd like answered
- He Told Us: What can we learn to make our communities more secure and safe? How being forthright and honest will give better results
- Foreign Correspondents: What it takes to bring us the stories we see on the news? How do you build real connections to tell people’s stories well?
- Anything Could Happen: An insider’s view from dealing with our biggest public health crisis, and the path people take to government.
- Into The Valley: What does our criminal justice system look like in the real world? How can this help us make a better one?
Book now for:
- He Told Us, Friday 4 September 10am to 11am at The Piano
- Foreign Correspondents, Friday 4 September 4pm to 5pm at The Piano
- Anything Could Happen, Saturday 5 September 2pm to 3pm at The Piano
- Into The Valley: Crime and Punishment, Sunday 6 September 4.30pm to 5.30pm at Tautoru / TSB Space, Tūranga
Cerys: The Poetry Powerhouse
"The Poetry Powerhouse sounds like the bringing together of a smorgasbord of poetic hard-hitters — award-winners, multidisciplinary wonders, and familiar faces to Ōtautahi's thriving poetry scene. There are some poets in this lineup I've been reading and loving for years, and others I'm excited to learn more about. I'm expecting an evening of hilarity, a few gut-punches, and a renewed passion for poetry (no pressure, everyone)."
Book now for The Poetry Powerhouse, Saturday 5 September 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Tautoru / TSB Space, Tūranga
Rachel: Small Press, Big Impact
"Small Press, Big Impact looks to be a very interesting session - I'm always keen to hear about the smaller publishers, the challenges and also the freedom that comes with being able to select works that lie outside of traditional publishing lanes. I feel like there is increased acknowledgement of these publishers and their authors; it was fantastic to see Hoods Landing by Laura Vincent on the Ockham's shortlist this year and I'm a long-time fan of Brannavan Gnanalingam's work. And as an Ōtautahi local I've really enjoyed the chapbooks by ngā pukapuka pekapeka and the creative way they launch their new works."
Book now for Small Press, Big Impact, Saturday 5 September 10.30am to 11.30am at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Simone: The Fiordland Deer Recovery & the Reading for Pleasure Salon
"This year, I’m ashamed to admit, I’ve read very few of the authors coming to WORD, so I’ve chosen my events based purely on vibes. As a keen tramper, I adore any sort of epic adventure story set in our national parks, so The Fiordland Deer Recovery is right up my alley. Author and documentary maker Peta Carey’s book The Hollows Boys explores the helicopter deer recovery era in Fiordland, and I can’t wait to hear all about the wild adventures of that time, as well as the research that went into writing the book.
My other top pick is the Reading for Pleasure Book Salon. Hearing writers talk about their favourite books sounds like a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning. I’m hoping to come away with some great book recommendations, plus insight into the writers’ creative processes. This event features Charlotte Grimshaw, Claire Mabey and Shariff Burke, so it’s bound to be a good one."
Book now for:
- The Fiordland Deer Recovery, Friday 4 September 2.30pm to 3.30pm at Tautoru / TSB Space, Tūranga
- Reading for Pleasure Book Salon, Saturday 5 September 10am to 11am at The Piano
Malcolm: Sonic Tonic: Words and Sound
"Beer? Check. Pizza? Check. Spoken word set to improvised sonic art? Totally. Do yourself a favour and get down to Space Academy to toast the final night of WORD Christchurch at Sonic Tonic: Words and Sounds, a spontaneous collision of words, music and live performance.
Featuring writers Ariana Tikao, Joseph Trinidad, Shariff Burke, Juanita Hepi, Erik Kennedy, Dominic Hoey and Molly Crighton, performing to the spontaneous sonic improvisations of experimental musicians Rory Dalley, Reuben Derrick and Peter Wright - Sonic Tonic promises an atmospheric evening in which words spark sounds and sounds reshape words."
Catch Sonic Tonic on Sunday 6 September, from 7pm to 9.30pm, at Space Academy, 371 St Asaph Street. Tickets are only $15, so book now and raise a glass to the final night of WORD Christchurch 2026!
WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
- More librarian picks of WORD 2026
- Get a copy of the WORD programme at libraries or check it out online.
- Visit our WORD Christchurch 2026 page
- WORD Christchurch's website
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