Past Events

Tuesday, 26 May — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

One of America's greatest living writers.

Thursday, 21 May — 7:00pm – 8:00pm

The #1 New York Times bestselling writer RF Kuang (USA) in conversation here in Ōtautahi Christchurch!

Monday, 11 May — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Join one of the leading voices in the interactions between AI and us humans.

Tuesday, 21 April — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

A celebration of Irish storytelling with Booker Prize nominated writer Niall Williams (Ireland).

Friday, 6 March — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

THIS EVENT IS NO LONGER GOING AHEAD. Simon Winchester has regrettably had to cancel his AUS/NZ events due to unforeseen circumstances. All ticketholders will be notified.

Wednesday, 3 December — 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Thursday, 23 October — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

EVENT CANCELLED. From historical novels to a climate story - the beloved Jenny Pattrick chats with Morrin Rout about her remarkable writing life.

Wednesday, 15 October — 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Callie Hart is coming to Aotearoa for this year’s spiciest Romantasy event!

Tuesday, 14 October — 7:30pm – 8:30pm

An evening with renowned global economist David McWilliams (Ireland) about the history of money while demystifying economics.

Thursday, 25 September — 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Help the Court Theatre’s quick-witted Court Jesters solve a thrilling murder case, then we’ll solve the mystery of which writers win the 2025 Ngaio Marsh Awards for Aotearoa New Zealand crime, mystery, and thriller writing.

Wednesday, 21 May — 6:30pm – 7:30pm

One of Norway's biggest sellers joins us for a fireside chat.

Monday, 19 May — 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Scotland-based New Zealand writer Kirsty Gunn is home to celebrate her latest book.

Tuesday, 13 May — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

What makes Kiwi and Irish crime writing so good? Dervla McTiernan and Michael Bennett discuss this and more.

Wednesday, 27 November — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Join us for a tasty six o’clock swill and some social history after work at our favourite local Three Boys Brewery.

Monday, 18 November — 6:30pm – 7:30pm

A special debrief on the US Election with commentators Peter Field and Maureen Montgomery

Tuesday, 21 May — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Trent Dalton joins The Spinoff’s Alex Casey to discuss his writing, life, and bighearted new novel Lola in the Mirror.

Monday, 13 May — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Irish writer, artist and editor Sinéad Gleeson talks islands, art and identity with WORD Programme Director Kiran Dass

Sunday, 25 February — 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Pulitzer prizewinning writer Richard Ford (USA) in conversation with Liz Grant

Friday, 24 November — 6:00pm – 8:00pm

A Quiz, celebration and ceremony for the 2023 Ngaio Marsh Awards.

Wednesday, 22 November — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Stevan Eldred-Grigg, Peter Graham and Te Maire Tau on when local stories turn in to history

Tuesday, 21 November — 6:30pm – 7:30pm

How did a former Wallabies rugby player come to be a public historian, playing his part in writing the Australian narrative?

Saturday, 11 November — 8:00pm – 9:10pm

Celebrated artist and songwriter Theia masterfully straddles the worlds of alt-pop and her reo Māori project TE KAAHU. The two projects come together on stage for the first time, live.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

RISK! The WORD Gala with dazzling featured guests Gabriel Krauze (UK), Kevin Jared Hosein (Trinidad and Tobago), David Keenan (Scotland), Meg Mason (Australia/New Zealand) and DaisySpeaks (New Zealand/Samoa) sharing moments when they’ve taken a risk and lived to tell the tale.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

Climate change is here and it’s real. What are the challenges and responsibilities of writers to tell stories in a climate-changed world? MahMah Timoteo, Bronwyn Hayward and Erik Kennedy discussed the role of writers in the face of climate change with Melanie Dixon.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

Pasifika and Māori excellence, on stage in Ōtautahi and styling up for a celebration of island connections. Hosted and curated by Daisy Speaks.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

Emily Perkins, Carl Nixon and Fiona Farrell all have new novels. They join Morrin Rout in conversation.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

Set in the 1940s, Trinidad and Tobago writer Kevin Jared Hosein's Hungry Ghosts is an atmospheric gothic historical novel raved about by Hilary Mantel and Bernadine Evaristo.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

Women's Prize for Fiction longlisted author Emily Perkins in conversation with Julie Hill about her life, work, and new novel Lioness.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

Australian-based New Zealand born writer Meg Mason’s smash hit, Sorrow and Bliss, was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction last year. In conversation with Noelle McCarthy.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

The return of one of our most popular storytelling events.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

To mark 150 years of the University of Canterbury, a richly illustrated history of the institution is being published. A fascinating insight into the process of writing A New History: The University of Canterbury 1873–2023.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

To celebrate 50 years in publishing, join Witi Ihimaera, rangatira of Aotearoa stories, for a Sunday kōrero with Arihia Latham.

Sunday, 17 September — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

Catherine Chidgey, two-time winner of New Zealand’s richest literary prize, the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, in-conversation with Liz Grant.

25 Aug - 17 Sep 2023 — 12:00pm – 11:59pm

David Vass was one of New Zealand's leading mountaineers, until an accident in Fiordland in 2015 ended his climbing life. His memoir, Not Set in Stone, charts how his world has changed.

Wednesday, 23 August — 10:00am – 4:00pm

Meet the Tūranga Pou Kohikohinga Māori – Māori Collection Specialists

Wednesday, 24 May — 7:00pm – 8:15pm

International prize-winner and South Island storyteller Eleanor Catton makes her long awaited return to Ōtautahi Christchurch to celebrate her eco-thriller novel Birnam Wood. Expect a wide-ranging conversation as Catton chats with former WORD Programme Director Nic Low (Ngāi Tahu) for one special night at The Aurora Centre, 7pm Wednesday 24 May.

Wednesday, 1 March — 6:30pm

An essential event for lovers of gripping tales of espionage, military history and breathtaking WWII nonfiction. WORD Christchurch is thrilled to present multimillion-copy bestselling author, journalist, and acclaimed historian Ben Macintyre live in conversation for one night only.

Wednesday, 16 November — 8:00pm – 9:00pm

(and to launch his book with Jason Gunn)

Wednesday, 16 November — 6:00pm – 7:00pm

A book launch and in conversation event with Behrouz Boochani and Tina Makereti