Nestled on Level 5, Kōrero Corner offers a fresh strand of dynamic free events, drop-in style. Expect a range of short, informal sessions that promise to spark inspiration and delight, or even teach you something new. Swing by daily to see what’s happening.
Friday | 15 MAY, 2026
Sāmoan Made Simple: Alphabet and Pronunciation | 9.15AM
Start your day with language teacher Jason Tiatia as he guides you through some of the basics of the Sāmoan language with fun, buildable exercises for all levels.
Industry Insights with The Big Idea | 11AM
Bite-sized interviews between The Big Idea Editor Gabi Lardies and practitioners and professionals in the NZ literary sector. Today she talks to AWF featured writers about their road to getting published.
Creative Rights in the Age of AI | 12.30PM
Anxious about AI? Copyright Licensing New Zealand is here to 12 MASTERCLASS DANIEL HAHN: AN INTRODUCTION TO guide writers – or interested readers – navigating the rapidly changing intersections of creativity, copyright and AI technology. Presentation followed by Q+A.
Debut of the Day: Laura Vincent | 2PM
Laura Vincent (Ngāti Māhanga, Ngāpuhi) will introduce you to the matriarchs of the Gordon whānau as she reads from her Ockham NZ Book Awards shortlisted debut novel Hoods Landing.
Worldwide Book Club: Pasifika Literature | 3.30PM
Join Inangaro Vakaafi, of Niue (Mutalau) and Cook Islands (Manihiki, Atiu) heritage, as she shares Pasifika writers and books she’d love you to know about.
Saturday | 16 MAY, 2026
Sāmoan Made Simple: Greetings and Common Phrases | 9.15AM
Start your day with language teacher Jason Tiatia as he guides you through some of the basics of the Sāmoan language with fun, buildable exercises for all levels.
Industry Insights with The Big Idea | 11AM
Bite-sized interviews between The Big Idea Editor Gabi Lardies and practitioners and professionals in the NZ literary sector. Today she sits down with publishers to demystify the publishing process.
Worldwide Book Club: Politics of Translation | 12.30PM
Literary translator Daniel Hahn and Sumaia Daoud and Betty Davis from the Pōneke-based collective Al-Rifaq Translations discuss their recent projects through the lens of translation’s political value.
Debut of the Day: Joseph Trinidad | 2PM
Not many debut authors can boast a blurb from Alexander Chee. Discover why he calls Joseph Trinidad “an entirely original voice” as Joseph reads from and discusses his remarkable essay collection Lucky Creatures.
No Stupid Questions: David Moscrop | 3.30PM
Back by popular demand, a chance to put your current affairs quandaries to a world expert. Canadian political commentator David Moscrop steps into the hot seat.
Sunday | 17 MAY, 2026
Drop-in Drawing: Literary Still Life | 9.15AM
Start your Festival day the creative way, and have a go at drawing a literary inspired still life with guidance from art tutor Summer Knight. All skill levels welcome, and materials are provided.
Industry Insights with The Big Idea | 11AM
Bite-sized interviews between The Big Idea Editor Gabi Lardies and practitioners and professionals in the NZ literary sector. Today she sits down with book-selling insiders to discuss what’s next for a book once it’s published.
Worldwide Book Club: Scottish Literature | 12.30PM
Edinburgh’s Makar (Poet Laureate) and author of Muckle Flugga, Michael Pedersen is here to introduce you to his favourite Scottish writers from the mainland to across the Isles. Supported by Scottish Books International.
Debut of the Day: Shana Chandra | 2PM
Shana Chandra will introduce her literary debut Banjara, a searing story of two women’s reckoning of Indo-Fijian, Girmitiya history, told over 100 years apart.
Manawaka Ao Book Club (INK): Heart Lamp | 3.30PM
The translator of Heart Lamp by Bhanu Mushtaq, Deepa Bhasthi joins Ara Alam-Simmons as a very special guest to Manawaka Ao’s INK book club. Come kōrero regardless of if you’ve read the book, or are curious to pick it up. Supported by SALT.
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