This year, mark your diaries for Friday 9 May – a whole week earlier - as Tāmaki Makaurau’s writers, storytellers, musicians and more take over BRITOMART for a riotous evening of words and creativity and declare the city ‘open’ for the packed bookish days ahead.
It’s energetic, it’s surprising, it’s fun, and it’s a dedicated celebration of our city’s incredible artistic scene that’s free and open to all to be part of.
Supported by Britomart Group.
The Programme
Book (Fight) Club | Takutai Square | 6:15-6:45PM (Round 1) 7:15-7:45PM (Round 2)
Back by popular demand, former WWF wrestling superstar El Jaguar will transform Takutai Square into a giant literary wrestling ring. Eight randomly selected books enter the Literati ThunderDome… and only one leaves. In this hilarious street performance, he brings together his two deepest loves: books & fights.
Toikupu Hei Kapo Whetū: Poetry to Catch the Stars | Rocketman | 6:10pm – 7:50pm
Slam Champion Matariki Bennett brings together the city's top spoken word artists and turns Rocketman into a dynamic beat poetry lounge for the evening. Each performer's work has taken them to new heights, and each are poised to perform 3 outstanding pieces, with DJ Jack Glacier providing the beats between, MC'd by Ken Arkind.
Where Is the Love? | Hayman Building Lobby | 6-8PM
Creating within a community can be both tender and radical. Join zine-maker, writer and activist Taualofa Totua in a gentle zine-making workshop. Together, you’ll explore the softness that can be found in the cityscapes. Drop in throughout the evening to take part. All materials provided.
People Power: A Wero from Amnesty International | Takutai Square | 6-8PM
What does freedom of expression mean to you? What’s your right to write? Check out the discussion prompts and interactive QR codes from Amnesty International in Takutai Square and add your voice and thoughts.
Typewriter Poets and the Great Poetry Exchange | Takutai Square | 6-8PM
Give our street typewriter poets a word, prompt or mood, and take away a personalised poem written just for you! Or grab a pen and add your own to the great poetry exchange.
Stories Start Here | Allbirds | 6-7:45PM
The story you end up telling can be worlds away from the one you started with… Using the AWF25 theme of ‘Stories Start Here’ as their prompt, four great writers line up to tell us how their books began, and their own plot twists that brought them to their finished work.
Navigating Wāhinetanga | Opposite Takutai Square | 6-8PM
Wāhine storytellers, equipped and empowered, are a force to be reckoned with. Join facilitators Hariata Makiha, Tamzin Naicker and Te Kōwhai Huia from Te Karanga Charitable Trust Wāhine Navigators in this dynamic session that weaves together talanoa, performance and prompts. Stay for as little or as long as you like!
Britomart Cocktail Hour | Takutai Square | 5-8:30PM
The Britomart Cocktail Cart will be serving free, alcohol-free Seedlip cocktails in Takutai Square from 5-8.30pm, with tunes throughout the night from DJ Fraze, back for his second STREETSIDE stint.
New Poets on the Block | Daily Bread | 6-6:50PM
What better way to start STREETSIDE than with the freshest voices on the block? Join Anne Kennedy in conversation with AUP New Poets 11: J.A. Vili, Xiaole Zhan, and Margo Montes de Oca as they discuss their debut collections and what it means to be ‘fresh’ in 2025. Stay to hear readings from each poet.
Lamplight Books Pop-Up | Allbirds | 6-8PM
Loved one of tonight’s performances or panels? Support the artists by buying books at the Lamplight Books pop-up at Allbirds & Friends.
Fresh Fruit | Daily Bread | 6:50-7:25PM
Writing across form, shape and colour, join fresh Āporo Press authors Laura Vincent and Sloane Hong as they discuss the synergies in their new works: Hoods Landing and Marrow & Other Stories. Stay to hear readings from each writer.
Across Whenua and Form | Daily Bread | 7:30-8PM
Khadro Mohamed wowed the ‘23 Ockham Poetry judges with We're All Made of Lightning. She joins Ruby Macomber to kōrero about her highly-anticipated first novel: Before the Winter Ends, and to discuss writing across whenua and form.
Park for $2.50 per hour at the Downtown car park to a maximum of $15.50 on evenings and weekends. Find out more.