Nelson Arts Festival - Pukapuka Talks 2024
Over 200 artists will join us in Whakatū for 11 days of awe-inspiring, audacious, accessible and: unmissable arts experiences this spring.
Tickets for all shows can be found here.
Myths, Magic, Fantasy & Time Travel
In this special event for 10-to-14-year-olds, Lauren Keenan, Rachael King and Claire Mabey will collectively discuss the inspiration for, and read from, their new books, before leading three parallel writing workshops.
Read the books:
Rimu: The Tree of Time by Lauren Keenan
The Grimmelings by Rachael King
The Raven's Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey
From accessible housing design to the tiny house movement, and everything in between, what happens when people step outside the box in housing design and development? Join architect and housing advocate Jade Kake, disability rights advocate, essayist and poet Henrietta Bollinger and local visionary Miriana Stephens, who is leading Te Āwhina Marae’s redevelopment project, in conversation with Min Hall.
Read the books:
Rebuilding the Kāinga: lessons from Te Ao Hurihuri by Jade Kake
Rewi: ata haere, kia tere by Jeremy Hansen and Jade Kake
Articulations by Henrietta Bollinger
Otherhood: Childless, Childfree and Child Adjacent
In Aotearoa the number of people who will never have children is growing. Kathryn van Beek, one of the Otherhood anthology’s three co-editors, is joined by contributors Iona Winter, Henrietta Bollinger and Lily Duval for a more inclusive conversation about what makes a fulfilling life.
Read the books:
Articulations by Henrietta Bollinger
Multi-generational migrant stories are finding compelling new ways of being told in the capable, creative hands of two of the best debut novelists in Aotearoa, Jade Kake and Saraid de Silva. Both explore belonging and the legacy of intergenerational trauma while mastering a unique way of sharing the diasporic experience. Chaired by Nathan Joe.
Read the books:
Checkerboard Hill by Jade Kake
Mythological & Magical Realism
Rachael King and Lee Murray both evoke ancient mythological creatures from distant shores in their latest novels: the vengeful kelpie and the nine-tailed fox spirit, húli jīng. In this session they will explore how myth not only maketh mystical realism but also elucidates key contemporary challenges. Chaired by Claire Mabey.
Read the Books:
Fox Spirit on a Distant Cloud by Lee Murray
The Grimmelings by Rachael King
The Raven's Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey
In her very first festival appearance following the publication of Kataraina, Becky Manawatu discusses the highly anticipated sequel to her bestselling debut novel, Auē, alongside friend and fellow kaituhi Māori Talia Marshall, whose essay collection, Whaea Blue, is one of this year’s most anticipated non-fiction pukapuka. Chaired by Nuki Tākao.
Read the Books:
Auē by Becky Manawatu Kataraina by Becky Manawatu
Toi Whenua = Ancestral Home by Nuki Tākao
RNZ presenter Susie Ferguson recounts her years as a war correspondent while battling endometriosis and discusses her breathtaking memoir on tenacity and self-belief, which shines a light on a health system that isn’t made for us and proves the importance of being loud with our truths. Chaired by Naomi Arnold.
Read the Book:
Bloody Minded by Susie Ferguson
Join us to celebrate Patricia Grace’s eighth short story collection, the astonishing Bird Child and Other Stories, as well as her remarkable writing life over almost 50 years. In this intimate kōrero with Becky Manawatu, she will discuss her latest book, her approach to writing and how she has collaborated with her talented whānau.
Read the Books:
Bird Child & Other Stories by Patricia Grace
Conservation advocates Mike Joy and Dave Hansford both know what it’s like to raise their voices, especially when others disregard, or don’t agree, with scientific evidence. They discuss the role storytelling must play in triumphing over commercial and political agendas. Chaired by Debs Martin.
Read the Books:
The Fight for Freshwater by Mike Joy
Kahurangi by Dave Hansford (coming November 2024)
Little Greek Taverna Long Lunch
Be transported from the Boat Shed Cafe to the Greek island of Naxos in this special opportunity to savour some of the dishes featured in what has been described as the ‘most delicious of novels’, The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna, featuring Whakatū Nelson’s very own bestselling author and restauranteur Erin Palmisano. Chaired by Nicola Galloway.
Read the Book:
The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna by Erin Palmisano
After Date III: Six-Legged Ghost Hunt
Join RNZ’s Critter of the Week researcher, illustrator, and author Lily Duval for a twilight romp through Brook Waimārama Sanctuary to learn more about our insect world – particularly the vital role ‘six-legged ghosts’ play – and how you can care for these creatures and their habitats.
Read the Book:
Six Legged Ghosts by Lily Duval
In a world first, on the day the global sales embargo ends, hear Jacqueline Bublitz talk about her new novel, Leave the Girls Behind, the dazzling follow-up to her 2022 Ngaio Marsh Award–wining debut novel, Before You Knew My Name. Chaired by Susie Ferguson.
Read the Books:
Leave the Girls Behind by Jacqueline Bublitz
Before you Know My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz
Bloody Minded by Susie Ferguson
Cristina Sanders and Lauren Keenan are two of Aotearoa New Zealand’s preeminent historical fiction writers. Journey back in time with them to experience life through the eyes of those who history books have, to date, largely neglected. Chaired by Sylvan Thomson.
Read the Books:
Ōkiwi Brown by Cristina Sanders (coming soon)
The Space Between by Lauren Keenan
Plotting Historical Fiction workshop
Cristina Sanders, author of Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant (shortlisted for the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize in 2023) and her latest book Okiwi Brown, leads this workshop on how to outline a historical fiction story and make a start on writing it.
Read the Books:
Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant
Ōkiwi Brown (coming soon)
MasterChef NZ 2022 winner Sam Low will discuss his bestselling cookbook, Modern Chinese, during this cooking demo and kōrero with his friend, celebrated poet and playwright Nathan Joe. Enjoy Kismet’s special matching cocktail/mocktail suggestions followed by a chance to taste Sam’s concoction.
Read the Book:
