In the Festival’s major opening night, eight exceptional writers speak to a moment in their life or work where their compass was reset – by choice or by chance; hard-won or by happenstance; early in life or in its later acts – that set them on a course truer to themselves.
Lining up to tell us about their new Norths, their True Norths, and the moments of reckoning, rebellion, resilience, reinvention, resolution or raw nerve it took to find them are:
One of Aotearoa’s most distinguished novelists Witi Ihimaera (Te Whānau a Kai, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Ira and Ngāti Porou); acclaimed artist and activist Tāme Iti (Ngāi Tūhoe); grief expert and best-selling author Dr Lucy Hone; Women’s Prize for Fiction winner and New York Times best-selling author Tayari Jones; Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement-winning author of 14 novels Elizabeth Knox; #1 New York Times and Sunday Times best-selling author RF Kuang; Booker Prize-winning Canadian novelist Yann Martel; Edinburgh’s Poet Laureate and prize-winning Scottish author Michael Pedersen.
Hosted by Miriama McDowell (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi).
Proudly part of the Auckland Council whānau
Local tip
He tīwhiri mō te rohe
Arrive early and explore the Aotea Arts Quarter. The Civic, Auckland Town Hall, Q Theatre and plenty of dining options are all within a short walk.
Getting there
Te huarahi ki reira
Aotea Centre is in Aotea Square on Queen Street, in the heart of the city centre. Te Waihorotiu Station is nearby, with frequent bus services along Queen Street and surrounding streets. If driving, The Civic Car Park is the closest option. For more transport information, check out our Getting Around page.
More info
He pārongo atu anō
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