Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature Celebrates 10 Years with a feast of legacy books
By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City Of Literature | Posted: Thursday Jun 05, 2025
2024 marked a remarkable milestone for Ōtepoti—ten years as a UNESCO City of Literature. To celebrate a decade of championing storytelling, creativity, and connection, we have printed five vibrant publications, each showcasing the city’s literary spirit and collaborative heart.
From climate action to culinary delight, from poetic wisdom to the wonder of childhood, these books highlight the depth and diversity of Ōtepoti’s creative community and the interconnectedness of the Cities of Literature network. They reflect the voices of our youngest writers, seasoned poets, passionate volunteers, and international collaborators. All five publications were beautifully designed by the Dunedin City Council Marketing and Design team, whose vision brings each book vividly to life.
Savoir Faire: A booking at the Cities of Literature table
In a delicious move from the earlier digital publication, Savoir Faire: A booking at the Cities of Literature table is now in hard copy. This unique collaboration with other UNESCO Cities of Literature serves up a mix of literary inspiration and culinary creativity.
Ōtepoti’s playful and flavourful entry, Bird Dog Hot Dog, draws inspiration from The Verlaines’ iconic album Bird Dog, and the recipe layers horopito pickled onions with mānuka smoked chilli relish in a celebration of taste, memory, and song.
The Heat is On: Young Writers on the Climate Crisis
The collection captures creative responses to the climate crisis from writers under 20 across the Cities of Literature network. Originally digitally published in 2022, these powerful pieces—urgent, hopeful, and imaginative—shine a light on the fierce intelligence, humour, and heart of young storytellers.
Ōtepoti’s strong and poignant contribution, Huia te aroha, reminds us how change begins.
Teddy’s Life Journey
The emerging writers and creative minds of Class Kererū at Dunedin Rudolf Steiner School invite readers on a gentle, heart-warming adventure with a slightly threadbare but deeply beloved bear. Teddy’s Life Journey is a warm and whimsical collection of writing and artwork, nurtured by City of Literature South D Poet Lorikeet Jenny Powell and fuelled by the imaginations of the young poets. It's a book of friendship, exploration, and quiet courage—true to Teddy’s life journey!
Biodiversity and the Webs of Life
Collaborating with Enviroschools at their 2024 Ōtepoti Dunedin Year 4–6 Hui, the City of Literature produced this book that brings together poetry and artwork by primary school ākonga who explored the ecosystems of Tomahawk Beach. With guidance from City of Literature South D Poet Lorikeet Jenny Powell, students engaged in mindful observation and hands-on learning, translating the wonders of nature into poems. This happy publication shows how even small actions—like planting trees or protecting dunes—can nurture thriving webs of life.
Wish
The volume comprises a memorable collection of poems by the volunteers of SuperGrans Dunedin. As a gift of thanks, Ōtepoti City of Literature offered a series of free poetry workshops led by South D Poet Lorikeet Jenny Powell. From initial hesitation grew a powerful sense of community and confidence, as participants explored their memories, dreams, and identities—becoming superhero-poets through their words.
To further enrich the project, artists from Studio2 were invited to respond to the poems. Their vibrant illustrations add fresh layers of meaning—translating words into bold visuals. The result is a joyful collaboration where poetry and art echo each other in a cycle of shared creativity. Wish is a tribute to the wisdom of experience, the power of collaboration, and the quiet magic of offering someone the space to be heard.
These five publications are a beautiful legacy of the city’s ten years in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Every contributor has received a copy of the book to share with their whānau, with additional copies destined for prizes and displays throughout our City of Literature.