Events to inspire: WORD Christchurch

Mired in the wonders of the 2026 WORD Christchurch programme and unable to decide? The WORD Christchurch team tell us about sessions in 2026's upcoming festival that promise to inspire.

Bluette Hille, Marketing and Events Coordinator

Letters Out Loud promises to be a rare and precious way to connect to our local history. I cannot wait to hear from Julia Bradshaw and Hazel Phillips, who will share about their books that chronicle Aotearoa women as fully-fledged mountaineers, entrepreneurs, and adventurers.

Steph Walker, Executive Director

I'm really glad we have Jo Randerson coming to share her book Secret Art Powers in a way only Jo can at WORD. This book is a reminder about how much arts, creativity and ngā toi Māori teaches us - far beyond how to perform, or paint. It's also a call to arms of sorts, to make sure creativity is kept alive and flourishing in Aotearoa New Zealand. My copy has pages folded over, it's dog-eared and much loved. 

Jo is also hosting Letters Out Loud which is going to be so special. Amongst all the papers and ephemera in archives around the country are these amazing missives sent by post capturing our lives as they were. It's the ultimate on the ground eyewitness account, a vibe check of the times and capture history firsthand and just very entertaining. 

Gina Johns, Artist Liaison

I'm most looking forward to Songwriter Speaks: Dave Dobbyn. I'm a huge fan of Th' Dudes and absolutely can't wait to hear tales of his legendary career in the Aotearoa music scene. I've been a long-time collector of zines, and there's something so special about these small, handmade pieces of art. I'm really looking forward to Zines NZ with Bryce Galloway.

Kiran Dass, Programme Director

I Wish I Wrote That

This has the stellar line up of Grant Robertson, Shehan Karunatilaka, pip adam, Jon Toogood and Elizabeth Knox who we all know and love for their own work but what song or book has had a huge impact on their lives? Come to this session and find out, as they each deliver a presentation about their favourite book or song.

The New Masculinity

Great value to hear from four brilliant writers who with their new books each explore different angles and perspectives on modern masculinity. Party Boy by Breton Dukes is the best Aotearoa novel I’ve read all year, it’s a high-tension knockout. And as I wrote in this Kete review of his book The Commercial Hotel, I will read anything John Summers writes so can’t wait to hear about his new book Green Sea. Come listen to these thoughtful and articulate blokes. 

Penny Hartill, Publicist

I’ve heard Tina Makereti reading from her memoir This Compulsion in Us and it moved me. So I’m looking forward to seeing her in a different light in A Mua, a spoken word performance with multi-instrumentalist Riki Pirihi. There’s always something special that happens when musicians and writers come together.

Also, Pax Assadi live at WORD – how lucky are we! He’s such a funny, warm and open-hearted performer and writer. Pax’s session Mortified will be special.

Talia-Rae Tupu, Volunteer and Schools Coordinator

I'm really looking forward to Working Class Heroes and Foreign Correspondents - I just know that the kōrero is going to be so rich. Dominic Hoey and Charlotte Glennie will also be speaking at Inspiring Minds - which, as the WORD Schools Coordinator, is the event I'm most looking forward to!

The full WORD Christchurch programme is available here.