Writers and readers fest highlights put on podcast

By Jeff Harford - Community Liaison, OAR FM | Posted: Friday Nov 21, 2025

OAR FM was on hand to capture and share some of the magic from this year’s Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival.

Writers and readers fest highlights put on podcast | Otago Daily Times Online News

The biennial celebration of writers, readers, books and poetry was held October 17-19.

Programme guests included Tāme Iti, Catherine Chidgey, Dominic Hoey, Apirana Taylor and Peta Mathias, among many local and travelling creatives.

The festival theme was Ahi Kā, keeping the home fires burning.

This theme acknowledges the rich literary and creative vein that runs through Ōtepoti Dunedin, a UNESCO City of Literature, as well as the incredible writers and poets who keep the literary community thriving.

Six festival events were recorded in full, for broadcast and podcast.

Highlights include Ahi Kā — The Long Burning Fire, the pōwhiri and panel session chaired by Kiringāua Cassidy and Nadia Wesley-Smith, where writers and guests gathered at Ōtākou Marae to share stories about and around the home fire.

To listen to podcasts and to see what days and times Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival events air on 105.4FM and 1575AM, check out the post at Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival - Otago Access Radio.

Podcasts are also available from dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.