Ōtautahi has a rich literary heritage in publishing, writing and poetry - including two Booker Prize winners - and many of Aotearoa's most esteemed writers have honed their craft here.
Playwrighting
Authors
Creative Non Fiction
Literary Groups & Festivals
Poetry
Tamariki & Rangatahi
Playwrighting
Jeff Clark – Performer and Playwright
Playwright and performer Jeff Clark shares his thoughts on creativity
Film and Storytelling Incubator – Expressions of Interest
Apply for the 2023 Incubator Programmes designed for Ōtautahi creatives to develop projects, large and small through providing mentoring with respected industry professionals.
Deadline Extended for Toi Ōtautahi 2023 Incubators – Mentoring Programmes for Film; Music; Performance and Street Art
Apply now for the 2023 Toi Ōtautahi Incubators - A mentoring programme for creatives in a range of disciplines, from street arts to music to film.
Authors
Rachael King
Rachael King is an award winning writer and former WORD Christchurch literary director.
Go to Site
Christchurch Writer Paul Cleave’s Crime Novel to be Turned into TV Drama Series
Paul Cleave's Dark City will be turned into a six-part drama series by the television company which produced Mad Men and Orange is the New Black.
Nā Te Kai Ka Paihere; One Table, One World
Nā Te Kai Ka Paihere; One Table, One World is a collection of recipes and accompanying prints as an offering for Unity Week to remember and honour the lives lost on March 15.
Tails of Tangleby – How a local Gardener Became a Children’s Book Writer
Sue Heazlewood is a local writer who has big plans for the future. We speak to her about how she came to write and publish her children's book, Tails of Tangleby.
Creatively Christchurch – Anke Richter
Writer and journalist, Anke Richter, shares her thoughts on creativity with us...
Creatively Christchurch – Donna Faulkner
Writer and poet Donna Faulkner shares with us the secrets of her creative practice...
WORD Christchurch Presents Sinéad Gleeson: Islands, Art & Identity
Bestselling Irish author Sinéad Gleeson joins WORD Christchurch’s Programme Director Kiran Dass in conversation.
Laurence Fearnley in Conversation with Morrin Rout
Join novelist Laurence Fearnley in conversation with Morrin Rout at Scorpio Books on 10 July...
Local Writers – Apply Now for Berlin Residency
Local writers! Creative NZ is taking applications for the Berlin Writers' Residency - closing date is 7 May.
Scorpio Books Launch of ‘Tony Fomison – Life of the Artist’ by Mark Forman
Scorpio Books and Auckland University Press warmly invite you to the Ōtautahi Christchurch launch of Tony Fomison: Life of the Artist by Mark Forman.
Creative Non Fiction
Hagley Writers’ Institute
The Hagley Writers' Institute is a not-for-profit creative writing school for adults.
Literary Groups & Festivals
Rachael King
Rachael King is an award winning writer and former WORD Christchurch literary director.
Steph Walker and Kiran Dass on WORD!
WORD's Steph Walker and Kiran Dass talk to Zara Potts about joining the WORD team and what's in store for the festival this year and in the future...
WORD Christchurch – A Festival of Kupu, Stories and Ideas for All
Get ready for WORD Christchurch 2023! A festival of stories, kupu and ideas that will satiate your most literary desires!
Poetry
Christchurch Poetry Slam
Brush off your haikus and bust out your best rhymes because the Christchurch Poetry Slam is back!
Announcing the Winners of our Winter in Ōtautahi Competition – Stephanie Cartwright & Melanie McKerchar
Congratulations to our winners - Stephanie Cartwright & Melanie McKerchar
Celebrating National Poetry Day – Eight Poets – Poets vs Climate Change
Eight local poets respond to the issue of climate change and the eternal question of what can art really change?
[Crisis Call] – Josiah Morgan
[Crisis Call] was a community arts project run by Josiah Morgan. It was the outcome of a Toi Ōtautahi residency supported by the Christchurch City Council...
This Imperfect Light – Ben Brown
Toi Ōtautahi is proud to present the first in a series of poems commissioned to celebrate and reflect our city's artistic heritage. 'This Imperfect Light' is from Ben Brown.
This Imperfect Light – Ben Brown
As part of Year of the Arts 2023, we have commissioned some very special poetry from local writers and poets - this one is from Ben Brown.
Talia – Isla Huia
Talia is the debut poetry collection from Isla Huia (Te Āti Haunui a-Pāpārangi, Uenuku).
Whakarongo Whakaraupō – Festival of Sound
Sonic art exhibition and events exploring place, culture and sensory connection through sound installation, sculpture, and paintings inspired by music.
How to Write Poems Inspired by Street Art…
Register now for Gail Ingram's class on writing poetry inspired by street art at the Linwood Arts and Eastside Gallery. Learn what apostrophe poem is and other tricks of the trade.
Lambing Season
The Canterbury Poets’ Collective with support of Phantom Billstickers brings you LAMBING SEASON, some of the best Canterbury poets under-25 to celebrate National Poetry Day this ye
What’s Happening in Ōtautahi for National Poetry Day?
Get involved in National Poetry Day,
And hear what our local poets have to say.
You'll laugh. You'll cry. You may even be inspired to have a try...
National Poetry Day: Another One – Nathan Joe
To celebrate National Poetry Day this week, Toi Ōtautahi is pleased to present 'Another One' by Nathan Joe
Block Party – Catalyst Poetry
Catalyst will present a selection of local poets reading original work...
Tusiata Avia in Conversation
Tusiata Avia talks to Toi Ōtautahi about her writing life, what inspires her and how poetry helps her make sense of the world.
Hopurangi – at Scorpio Books
Scorpio Books launches Robert O'Sullivan's new collection of poetry: Hopurangi.
Frank Film Presents: Tusiata Avia
Racist slurs and a tin of corned beef – how award-winning poet and performer Tusiata Avia came to be the voice of New Zealand Pasifika...
The Poetry Machine
For a quick poetry fix, try the Poetry Machine – just hit the button and you’ll receive a poem printed out at random - Thanks to WORD Christchurch and Tūranga
Sylvia Tour
Just Janie & Sig Wilder at Scorpio Books - Two modern-day troubadours brought together by the poetry of two Sylvias...
In Silver Majesty – Donna Faulker
Local poet, Donna Faulker, on her debut poetry book, In Silver Majesty.
Tamariki & Rangatahi
Tails of Tangleby – How a local Gardener Became a Children’s Book Writer
Sue Heazlewood is a local writer who has big plans for the future. We speak to her about how she came to write and publish her children's book, Tails of Tangleby.