He pānui, he angitu | News and Opportunities
Nō hea koe? Where are you from?
Tell Te Wiki o te Reo Māori the town you call home and you could see its name lighting up the Sky Tower in Tāmaki Makaur...
Posted: Wednesday Sep 02, 2026
Review: 75th Anniversary anthology full of stunning new poems
Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2026, edited by Tracey Slaughter (Massey University Press)
Posted: Wednesday Sep 02, 2026
Icarus: a fictional retelling
Small stories, deep ripples. Poetry, art, creatures and inspiring people. History — anytime from yesterday.
Posted: Wednesday Sep 02, 2026
Applications are now open for the 2027 Randell Cottage Writers Fellowship!
Applications close 23 October 2026
Posted: Tuesday Sep 01, 2026
Inside Joy Cowley’s extraordinary life and writing
The Kiwi author reflects on a lifetime of writing and the experiences that have shaped her life and work.
Posted: Tuesday Sep 01, 2026
Congratulations to the new Tuwhare Fellows
The Hone Tuwhare Trust is excited to announce our 2026–2027 residencies bringing together a new cohort of writers and ar...
Posted: Tuesday Sep 01, 2026
Happy WORD week!
Kicking off on Tuesday night with a very special musical and spoken word performance - Ā Mua. There are so many cool eve...
Posted: Tuesday Sep 01, 2026
Best ever celebration of NZ Poetry Day
Fiona Farrell responds to Tūmanako: Words of Hope event
Posted: Tuesday Sep 01, 2026
New Zealand Arts Review
Ōtepoti Dunedin Architecture: A Walking Guide by John Walsh and photographer Patrick Reynolds (Massey University Press)
Posted: Monday Aug 31, 2026
A very special setting for 'Pepeha Portal'
On Saturday 8 August, Ōtākou Marae hosted Poetry on the Marae, a special event celebrating the release of Ariana Tikao’s...
Posted: Monday Aug 31, 2026
Faces & Flowers: Dinah Hawken and Patricia France exhibition
The Eastern Southland Gallery warmly invites you to a Floor Talk, Exhibition Opening and Poetry Reading, on Saturday 12t...
Posted: Friday Aug 28, 2026
Poetry Shelf celebrates NZ Poetry Day
A Panel of Poets, Words of Hope and Lambing Season
Posted: Friday Aug 28, 2026
Heading Off to Bhutan!
That Blind Woman, Julie Woods, visited Bhutan in 2013, the remote kingdom in the Himalayas, nestled between India and Ch...
Posted: Friday Aug 28, 2026
Warm congratulations to Ōtepoti author Molly Crighton on the launch of 'The Body and the Blood' (Moa Press)!
Here are a few words from Molly about the special evening at St Paul’s Cathedral:
Posted: Friday Aug 28, 2026
Young poets shine at the 2026 Ōtepoti Youth Poetry Competition
Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature was delighted to support the 2026 Ōtepoti Youth Poetry Competiti...
Posted: Thursday Aug 27, 2026
Te Wiki o te reo Māori - 14-20 Hepetema 2026
Each day of the week, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori has a theme for you to focus your reo around.
Posted: Thursday Aug 27, 2026
Professor Emerita Jocelyn Harris receives honorary doctorate
Congratulations to Professor Emerita Jocelyn Harris who, in addition to delivering today’s graduation address, received ...
Posted: Thursday Aug 27, 2026
Call for abstracts!
The University of Otago will host the 2027 International Association for the Study of Irish Literatures (IASIL) Conferen...
Posted: Thursday Aug 27, 2026
Calling literary programmers!
We’re excited to share that Melbourne's 6th International Literary Programmers Roundtable will take place in 2027! EOIs ...
Posted: Thursday Aug 27, 2026
Writing for Wellness returns for a second season
For participants in this year’s Writing for Wellness workshop series, four weeks of creativity, connection, laughter and...
Posted: Thursday Aug 27, 2026
From the Pearl River Delta to Otago’s fields of gold...
Ribbons of Grace by Maxine Alterio (Penguin New Zealand, 2008)
Posted: Wednesday Aug 26, 2026
Volunteer at Otago Polyfest
Otago Polyfest are looking for volunteers 7-11 September 2026 to fill rolls from encouraging backstage performers to gre...
Posted: Wednesday Aug 26, 2026
Today on Write Spot - Ōtepoti Dunedin Architecture: A Walking Guide
Award-winning writer John Walsh introduces his new book, Ōtepoti Dunedin Architecture: A Walking Guide, one of a series ...
Posted: Wednesday Aug 26, 2026
What a treat – two beautiful books launched together by two award-winning authors!
Everyone is welcome to join this celebratory eve on Wednesday 9 September, 6pm, at Unity Books, Wellington!
Posted: Wednesday Aug 26, 2026
Submissions for the 2027 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards now open!
Entries are now open for the 2027 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, for New Zealand books published between 1 January 2026...
Posted: Wednesday Aug 26, 2026
JULIA by Joanna Murray-Smith
20 tickets sold within the first 24 hours of show going live! Don't miss out!
Posted: Wednesday Aug 26, 2026
2026 Ngaio Marsh Awards - Best Novel Longlist
Congratulations to all the authors on the Best Novel Longlist for the 2026 Ngaio Marsh Awards especially our very own Li...
Posted: Wednesday Aug 26, 2026
Verb Wellington - A Riot of Words
Saturday 26 September, The Tasting Room
Posted: Tuesday Aug 25, 2026
Book Review: 'Ōtepoti Dunedin Architecture: A Walking Guide' by John Walsh and Patrick Reynolds (Massey University Press)
Pocket guide to Dunedin buildings not just for architecture geeks
Posted: Tuesday Aug 25, 2026
Publications editor turns children’s book author
With remarkable simplicity, Lisa Dick turned a handful of words into a heartfelt story about love in her debut children’...
Posted: Tuesday Aug 25, 2026
How well do you know Ukraine?
This Independence Day, we have a little challenge for you. Solve these seven clues, and the highlighted letters will rev...
Posted: Tuesday Aug 25, 2026
Celebrating Aotearoa New Zealand Children’s Book Week
Ōtepoti UNESCO City of Literature was delighted to connect tamariki with Ōtepoti’s wonderful Swapna Haddow during Aotear...
Posted: Tuesday Aug 25, 2026
Rebecca Hawkes launching 'HIDE' at Verb!
HIDE is an illuminated verse-narrative chapbook written and illustrated by Rebecca Hawkes. The launch will open with a h...
Posted: Monday Aug 24, 2026
Tūpuna Maunga Authority Research Scholarship
Applications for the Tūpuna Maunga Authority Research Scholarship close 30 August 2026 - funding both new and ongoing pr...
Posted: Monday Aug 24, 2026
New walking guide uncovers Dunedin’s extraordinary architectural treasures
The discovery of gold in 1861 transformed Dunedin from a small colonial outpost to a boom town. The sudden wealth reshap...
Posted: Monday Aug 24, 2026
2027 PANNZ Arts Market - Pitch & Showcase applications now Open!
The 2027 PANNZ Arts Market will take place from 1 – 4 March in Tāmaki Makaurau. Applications close Monday 28 September, ...
Posted: Monday Aug 24, 2026
Celebrating our UNESCO connections in Waitaki
Ōtepoti UNESCO City of Literature was delighted to support the celebrations in Duntroon as the newly refurbished Museum ...
Posted: Monday Aug 24, 2026
Robert Lord Writers Cottage Trust announces residencies for 2026–27
Six writers have been awarded residencies for late 2026 and early 2027 at the historic cottage in Ōtepoti Dunedin UNESCO...
Posted: Friday Aug 21, 2026
Book review: 'Ōtepoti Dunedin Architecture'
Lynn Freeman reviews: Ōtepoti Dunedin Architecture by John Walsh and photographer Patrick Reynolds, published by Massey ...
Posted: Friday Aug 21, 2026
Call for Applications: Bucheon UNESCO City of Literature Residency 2026
The call for applications closes 28th August 2026.
Posted: Friday Aug 21, 2026
Our very own Molly Crighton is heading to WORD Christchurch!
Molly will be taking part in three events at this year’s festival — a fantastic opportunity to hear from one of Ōtepoti’...
Posted: Friday Aug 21, 2026
'A Terrible Trio' and a morning of bookish fun
To celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand Children’s Book Week, Ōtepoti UNESCO City of Literature was delighted to connect tamar...
Posted: Friday Aug 21, 2026
Tamariki Book Festival - Saturday 26 September, The Arts Centre Great Hall in Christchurch
The Tamariki Book Festival is an annual event that connects children and teens with Kiwi authors and illustrators in a f...
Posted: Friday Aug 21, 2026
Call for applications – Tartu UNESCO City of Literature Residency Autumn 2026
International Residency Program for writers, poets, translators of Estonian literature October-December 2026. Apply by 1...
Posted: Friday Aug 21, 2026
Meet the 2026 winners of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults!
A huge pākipaki to the talented authors, illustrators and translators whose outstanding books have been recognised by th...
Posted: Thursday Aug 20, 2026
2026 Surrey Hotel/Newsroom writers residency award open
Entries close on Sunday, September 14.
Posted: Thursday Aug 20, 2026
Te Papa Tupu 2026: Submissions Now Open!
Submissions close: 30 September 2026
Posted: Thursday Aug 20, 2026
Poetry Night in Dunedin - 12 August 2026
Poet extraordinaire and Octagon Poetry Collective committee member, Mac MacDonald, shares highlights from their latest p...
Posted: Thursday Aug 20, 2026
Celebrating Literature within the Once Upon a TIME Art+Science Exhibition
The idea that ‘time waits for no one’—whether it feels fleeting, slow or accumulative—was at the heart of the 2026 Once ...
Posted: Tuesday Aug 18, 2026
Finding the Words
Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature is proud to have supported the publication of Finding the Words,...
Posted: Tuesday Aug 18, 2026
Today on Write Spot
Dunedin writer Craig Cliff discusses his latest collection of short stories, Offshore Service and Other Stories
Posted: Wednesday Aug 12, 2026
NZSA Shaw Writer's Award is now OPEN!
Applications are open from 7 August to 18 September in 2026.
Posted: Wednesday Aug 12, 2026
Review: Insightful collection from South D Poet Lorikeet
Biology Field Trip by Jenny Powell (Cold Hub Press, 2026) reviewed by Hamesh Wyatt
Posted: Monday Aug 10, 2026
Something exciting is coming!
Mark your diary! During NZ Children's Book Week, Storylines will be giving away a prize pack of fabulous Aotearoa New Ze...
Posted: Monday Aug 10, 2026
'Walter and Wilma the Wandering Albatrosses' by Emma Heppell (Bateman Books, 2026)
Reviewed by Nic Taylor, Raglan Area School, Librarian
Posted: Monday Aug 10, 2026
20 Years of Creativity: Celebrating the Caselberg Trust
The Caselberg Trust marks its 20th year. It may be hard to believe, but it’s true.
Posted: Monday Aug 10, 2026
The unsettled afterlife of Captain Cook
Even 250 years on from the sea voyages that made his name and set our colonial history in motion, Captain Cook remains a...
Posted: Monday Aug 10, 2026
A New Way of Seeing: Jenny Powell Launches 'Biology Field Trip'
The Ōtepoti City of Literature team was proud to collaborate recently with Cold Hub Press and our colleagues at Dunedin ...
Posted: Monday Aug 10, 2026