WORD Christchurch Festival 2026

Sunday, 6 September — 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Why don't we talk about it? Fehinti Balogun asks this urgent question and offers an invitation in Can I Live?, a vital new digital performance about the climate catastrophe. Followed by a live panel discussion.

Saturday, 5 September — 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Iconic Māori activist, artist and performer Tāme Iti (Ngāi Tūhoe) sits down with Delaney Davidson to share tales from his extraordinary life of resistance, resilience and rangatiratanga.

Friday, 4 September — 6:30pm – 7:45pm

Snap up your tickets to this riotous session of tiny lectures. Five writers share their weird and wonderful deep obsessions!

Tuesday, 1 September — 7:00pm – 8:15pm

Multi-instrumentalist Riki Pirihi (Ngāti Wai, Patuharakeke, Ngaati Maahanga) and award-winning writer Tina Makereti (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangatahi-Matakore, Pākehā) weave together sound and story, taonga pūoro and strings, in this special performance.