Heart-warming celebration launches 'Layers of Identity'

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature | Posted: Friday Jun 12, 2026

The Ōtepoti City of Literature team was proud to collaborate recently with Otago Access Radio (OAR FM) and our colleagues at Dunedin Public Libraries (DPL) for the launch of a new book Layers of Identity — a powerful and inspiring collection of work by Ōtepoti’s rangatahi, published by the City of Literature.

Originally developed by OAR FM Youth Zone’s Arina Aizal as a podcast and creative writing initiative, the project showcases fifteen remarkable young writers aged 8 to 24. Through original poems, essays, and speeches, these rangatahi explore whakapapa, identity, culture, and belonging. With honesty and openness, they invite readers to listen to their histories, hopes, and the many layers that shape who they are.

The book, proudly published by Ōtepoti City of Literature, brings these powerful voices together in a vibrant and lasting collection. Layers of Identity stands as a testament to the strength found in storytelling and the importance of knowing where you come from.

The free public launch event at Dunedin City Library was held in celebration of the young writers and timed to coincide with both the UNESCO World Day for Cultural Diversity and Aotearoa’s Youth Week. This year’s Youth Week theme was ‘Our voices matter. We deserve to be heard’, which was strongly reflected in the rangatahi-led event.

The evening was jointly emceed by project contributors Parishay Khan and Ocean Jade, who brought warmth and confidence to their roles.

Ajax Banstola, also a contributor, opened the event with a karakia, followed by Parishay (10) performing the Aotearoa National Anthem on guitar. Although guests had been invited to remain seated, the audience rose spontaneously.

Some contributors to the book then shared reflections prompted by two guiding questions:

• Which layer of your identity has grown the most this past year?

• How has your understanding of yourself and your whakapapa changed since this project?

Their responses were thoughtful, humorous, and deeply moving, reflecting on family, personal growth, and evolving understanding of identity and belonging.

A standout moment of the evening was the unveiling of the book by contributor Malak Tamimi, who operated a bespoke reveal ‘contraption’ lovingly created by DPL’s Jill Bowie and Jasmin Taylor. This added an element of anticipation and excitement as the publication was presented for the first time to the rangatahi, whānau, and audience members. The reveal was met with enthusiastic surprise and applause – watch HERE.

Throughout the evening and over tea and coffee afterwards a focus was on the importance of storytelling to connect people and build understanding, emphasising the importance of creating platforms for rangatahi voices to be heard.

To bring some extra joy to your day, we invite you to watch the full stream by OAR FM’s Domi Angelo-Laloli HERE.

To see a copy of the Layers of Identity book, please contact anne.shelah@dcc.govt.nz. The podcast can be explored via OAR FM at oar.org.nz/shows/layers-of-identity.