Words in the Gardens: HamLit programme announced

The Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa will return in 2026 with an eclectic programme shaped by the theme of joy. After its successful debut last year, ‘literary festival within a festival’ HamLit (Hamilton Literature) expands to include 11 events across the Festival’s opening weekend, hosted primarily in the Indian Char Bagh Garden. 

According to HamLit co-curator Elisabeth Easther, audiences can expect to enjoy stimulating conversations and readings between literary luminaries and public figures. 

“I’m so delighted that HamLit is back for a sequel in 2026. 

“And together with my co-curator Bridget van der Zijpp, we’ve loved bringing together a scintillating programme with something for every taste," says Easther. 

There’s no shortage of familiar names and faces in the literary programme with highlights including Mike McRoberts, Lisette Reymer and Miriama Kamo discussing the state of the media; Dr Hinemoa Elder and Dr Marama Salsano on creativity and wellbeing; and Tusiata Avia with Victor Rodger discussing Avia’s deeply personal new book. Kirikiriroa’s own award-winning author Catherine Chidgey and the lauded Kate Camp will discuss their creative evolution. 

Elsewhere, Dr Lucy O’Hagan will perform her extraordinary one-woman show Inside the GP Consultation; crime writers Steve Braunias, Jared Savage and Fiona Sussman explore writing about the criminal world; and Karyn Hay joins Suzanne Lynch for stories and song. HamLit's programme Are We Who We Say We Are: Authors Josie Shapiro (Good Things Come and Go) and Gina Butson (The Stars are a Million Glittering Worlds), two observers of contemporary life, discuss their works with novelist Bridget van der Zijpp, co-curator of HamLit. 

Beyond the 6 O’Clock News: Award-winning broadcaster Mike McRoberts and foreign correspondent Lisette Reymer discuss their journalistic past and present, and the state of the media with broadcaster Miriama Kamo. 

Flower Power: He Puāwai: A Natural History of New Zealand Flowers by botanist Phil Garnock-Jones is beautiful — featuring 100 native flowers photographed in 3D and viewed with special glasses revealing their magical glory. 

The Search for Meaning: Best-selling author Dr Hinemoa Elder will waananga with award-winning Waikato poet Dr Marama Salsano about the intersection between culture, creativity and mental health. 

Giving Birth to My Father: Award-winning poet Tusiata Avia joins acclaimed playwright Victor Rodger to discuss Giving Birth to My Father, her most personal book yet. The event will feature powerful readings by Tusiata, an acclaimed performer. 

Sonic Gardens for the Wild: Award-winning writer and editor Tracey Slaughter joins emerging and established local voices, to bring colourful creative work from literary journals Mayhem and Poetry Aotearoa Alive, with dramatic staging by One Question Theatre. 

Doctor I Like Your Medicine: Dr Lucy O’Hagan who will perform her extraordinary one-woman show Inside the GP Consultation as an introduction to a discussion about her brilliantly warm, wise and candid book Everything but the Medicine: A Doctor’s Tale. 

Hanging with the Crims: Acclaimed writers Steve Braunias (Polkinghorne), Jared Savage (Underworld) and award-winning crime fiction writer Fiona Sussman – author of Hooked Up delve into the challenges, risks and rewards of crime writing. 

Sunshine Through a Prism: Suzanne Lynch (Yesterday When I Was Young) rose to fame in the 60s as one half of singing duo The Chicks. She’ll share with author and broadcaster Karyn Hay – expect a song or two. 

So Embarrassing!: Lauded writers Kate Camp (Leather & Chains: My 1986 Diary) and Catherine Chidgey (Pet, The Axeman’s Carnival, The Book of Guilt) discuss their creative evolution with Elisabeth Easther, author of Seed and co-curator of HamLit. 

Poetic Expressions of Whakapapa: In this free event, six exceptional local poets share creative work and stories that connect them to layers of ancestors and landscapes, sometimes recognisable and at other times more obscure. Tickets and Access 

Tickets can be purchased at hamiltonartsfestival.co.nz. Free printed programmes are available from the Gallagher Visitor Centre at the Hamilton Gardens, from iSites across the Waikato and Waipaa regions, the Hamilton City Council building (located in Garden Place) and from cafés throughout Hamilton. 

A ‘Multi-buy’ discount offering 15 percent off general admission tickets to three or more eligible shows makes it easy for audiences to explore multiple events. 

For the first time ever, the Festival has specially designed merchandise for sale, including t-shirts, caps and hoodies, perfect for gift-giving and available for purchase through the festival website from 1 December, 2026.  Check out the full programme here.