WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
WORD Christchurch Festival was on from 1 to 6 September
Find out about WORD Christchurch, and the writers and books featured in the festival, and explore our coverage of WORD events and sessions.
WORD reportage
WORD reports
Leather & Chains: My 1986 Diary Live! - Kate Camp
Kate Camp dives into the diary she kept in 1986 and Poppia reports from this WORD event and concludes Leather and Chains forever! XX
Uncovering the secrets of Christchurch under our feet
From 'Frozen Charlotte' Dolls to syphilis meds: Ky reports from WORD on curious artefacts found by Katharine Watson and Jessie Garland.
I wish I wrote that: Love letters to other writers
Moata reports back from this WORD Christchurch session with Shehan Karunatilaka, Jon Toogood, pip adam, and Grant Robertson.
Toi kupu, toi rakatahi, toi kōrero!
Ōtautahi Youth Poetry Slam at WORD brought out the crowds to relish the innovative language and worldview of our rakatahi.
Ā mua – taonga pūoro experience with Tina Makereti
Justice reports back on Ā Mua at WORD - an eclectic nod to seeing what a future together could look & feel like - inspiring and challenging.
Telling the story, and the stories that come after it
Pātahi: Re-storying the life of a wāhine matātoa gave WORD audiences the opportunity to hear the story of Erihāpeti Pātahi.
Zines with Bryce Galloway and Ōtautahi Zinefest
Katrina explores Ōtautahi Zinefest and listens to a talk by Bryce Galloway all about zines at WORD Christchurch Festival 2026.
The Poetry Powerhouse: WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
Portraits painted, scabs devoured, a young girl alone in the car ... It's a hākari: a feast of different flavours. Cerys reports from WORD.
Tāme Iti: A man of Mana
Tāme Iti covers topics like institutionalised racism, land confiscation, & meaning behind big Māori concepts. Ky reports back from WORD.
To be human is to be exposed, or embarrassed: Pax Assadi
Pax Assadi talks to pip adam about his memoir Mortified - creativity, culture, embarrassment, and farts. Ky reports from WORD.
Positioning Ourselves Between Body and Machine
Kluge by pip adam & Nova by Tim Corballis are novels that explore Technology and AI. Hong reports from a WORD session with the two authors.
Into The Valley: Crime and Punishment with Asher Emanuel
"The Valley is an incredible work and a view into systems & how they operate in a way many of us never encounter." Troy reports from WORD.
Chaotically theatrical: Jo Randerson's Secret Art Powers
Moata reports back from a "theatrical lecture" by Jo Randerson as part of WORD Christchurch 2026 that's full of the unexpected.
Adventurous Women: Julia Bradshaw and Hazel Phillips
The stories of pioneering women who defied expectations on Aotearoa’s goldfields and mountains - Katie reports from WORD Christchurch.
Olivia Laing - Art & Desire in Italy
Debora goes to a WORD session with accomplished author Olivia Laing, beaming in from their house in Suffolk, United Kingdom.
Anything could happen: Grant Robertson
Troy reports from a packed WORD session - Grant & journalist Philip Matthews talk about politics, politicians, Dunedin and more.
WORD Christchurch at Tūranga
The WORD lounge
For WORD Christchurch festival we set up a cosy lounge, with a specially curated bookshelf, and opportunities to share memories of your favourite books. Visitors added reflections to our vintage card catalogue, recorded them in our listening book, or experienced others’ contributions while sitting under our Cone of Memories.
Borrow a book and be in to win! (competition now closed)
The librarians at Tūranga love recommending books, so to celebrate WORD Christchurch, we ran a competition using staff picks. Entry was by borrowing a WORD staff pick, filling out the entry form on the staff pick bookmark, and posting the entry into one of our entry boxes.
A random draw was made and Helen W. was the winner of a $100 book voucher.
Librarian Picks
Librarian picks
6 Olivia Laing books in 2026: WORD Christchurch 2026
Debora is a fan of Olivia Laing, and is going along to see them at WORD Christchurch. Find out why & book your tickets too!
Librarian picks of WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
Our librarians are getting ready to WORD. Here are some of the hottest hot tips for WORD Christchurch Festival, on from 1 to 6 September.
Hong's Picks for WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
Hong's picks of the WORD Christchurch Festival programme include sessions with Charlotte Grimshaw, Richard Shaw, pip adam & Tim Corballis.
6 Olivia Laing books in 2026: WORD Christchurch 2026
Debora is a fan of Olivia Laing, and is going along to see them at WORD Christchurch. Find out why & book your tickets too!
Librarian picks of WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
Our librarians are getting ready to WORD. Here are some of the hottest hot tips for WORD Christchurch Festival, on from 1 to 6 September.
Hong's Picks for WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
Hong's picks of the WORD Christchurch Festival programme include sessions with Charlotte Grimshaw, Richard Shaw, pip adam & Tim Corballis.
Mike picks New Aotearoa Gothic
Mike picks:
- Hoods Landing by Laura Vincent
- New Aotearoa Gothic event on Sunday 6 September 12.30pm at the Christchurch Art Gallery. Book your tickets.
Fee picks All Things Romantasy
Fee picks:
- A Far Better Thing by H.G. Parry
- All Things Romantasy event on Wednesday 2 September 6.30pm at Tūranga. The panel runs from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, and we invite you to arrive from 5.30pm to enjoy a complimentary drink from Catalina Sounds Pop-up bar, browse new books, and meet a duo of fantastic local vendors selling fantasy-inspired merchandise! Book your tickets.
Find works by WORD writers in our collection
WORD Christchurch titles
- pip adam
- Ashley Andersen
- Atholl Anderson
- Pax Assadi
- Laura Borrowdale
- Julia Bradshaw
- Stacey Broadbent
- Helen Brown
- Shariff Burke
- Kate Camp
- Peta Carey
- Giselle Clarkson
- Angela Clifford
- Tim Corballis
- Sacha Cotter
- Thomas Coyle
- Molly Crighton
- Lianne Dalziel
- Kiran Dass
- Delaney Davidson
- Kate de Goldi
- Reuben Derrick
- Sarina Dickson
- Dave Dobbyn
- Barbara Dreaver
- Breton Dukes
- Michal Dziwulski
- Elisabeth Easther
- Asher Emanuel
- Saige England
- Bryce Galloway
- Grace Gassin
- Nick Gill
- Charlotte Glennie
- Brannavan Gnanalingam
- Kate Gordon-Smith
- Charlotte Grimshaw
- Erin Harrington
- Rebecca Hawkes
- Juanita Hepi
- Dominic Hoey
- Dr Lucy Hone
- Ingrid Horrocks
- Joseph Hullen
- Tāme Iti
- Claudia Jardine
- Shehan Karunatilaka
- Erik Kennedy
- Rachael King
- Elizabeth Knox
- Melanie Koster
- Olivia Laing
- A. J. Lancaster
- Nam Le
- Damien Levi
- Nic Low
- Claire Mabey
- Rebecca Macfie
- Tina Makereti
- Philip Matthews
- Noelle McCarthy
- Heather McQuillan
- Ruben Miller
- Joshua Morgan
- Josiah Morgan
- Stacey Morrison
- Takerei Norton
- H. G. Parry
- Lawrence Patchett
- Hazel Phillips
- Riki Pirihi
- Joanna Preston
- Jo Randerson
- Grant Robertson
- Victor Rodger
- Richard Shaw
- Barry Soper
- Murdoch Stephens
- John Summers
Featured
Libby eBooks by WORD Christchurch Festival 2026 guests
Read eBooks by WORD Christchurch Festival 2026 writers.
Libby audiobooks by WORD Christchurch Festival 2026 guests
Listen to Libby eAudiobooks by WORD Christchurch Festival 2026 writers.
WORD Q&A
WORD Q&A
WORD Christchurch writers recommend wave-making books
WORD asked Festival writers and performers the question: Which wave-making book should everyone in Aotearoa read? Why?
WORD writers: Which wave-making book should everyone read?
Writers and performers share the books that make waves. WORD Christchurch Festival 2026 is on from 1 to 6 September.
WORD writers: Who or what has made waves in your life?
Writers and performers share who (or what) has made waves in their lives. WORD Christchurch Festival 2026 is on from 1 to 6 September.
WORD writers: Where is the best place to think and write?
Writers and performers share their fave places to writer and be creative. WORD Christchurch Festival 2026 is on from 1 to 6 September.
Reading advice - Librarians recommend
The WORD Christchurch festival is an excellent way to find out about new books and reading but if you want some more be sure to chat to one of our friendly staff or check out our online resources - request a custom reading list, or check out great staff picks covering a range of topics and genres.
Featured cards
Request reading recommendations
Not sure what to try next? Try our reading guides, or tell us your preferences and we'll make a custom reading list just for you!
Reading recommendations - Non-fiction
History, biographies, science and more - find your next favourite factual read at the library.
Reading recommendations - Fiction
Science fiction, mystery, adventure and more - find your next favourite read at the library.
Level up your reading: Top tips for reading more
Here are a few easy tips to increase your reading potential.
WORD Christchurch Festival 2026 photos
WORD Christchurch information
- Visit the WORD Christchurch website
- Follow @WORDChCh on X
- Follow WORDchch on Instagram
- Follow @WORDchch on Tik Tok
- Like WORD Christchurch on Facebook
- Listen to WORD Christchurch podcasts
WORD Christchurch coverage
Listen to Bookenz on Plains FM for interviews with WORD authors.
Previous WORD Coverage
Visit our WORD Christchurch page for coverage of previous festivals and events.
WORD Christchurch Festival and Events
Discover WORD Christchurch festival and events, and read our coverage.