ThisMay,we’recelebratingthe10thanniversaryoftheFeatherston BooktownKarukateaFestivalandwhatajourneyit’sbeen.
Book Voucherproject areback, ensuring tamariki from theSouth Wairarapa candiscoverthe joyof stories andchooseabookoftheir ownwiththeir own‘money’.Theseinitiatives, made possible by thegenerosity of many supporters,are at the heartofwhatwedo.
Festivalofbooks,storytelling andideas returns to Featherston 9-11MAY2025
From the very beginning, this festivalhas been atruecommunity effort, with volunteers rolling up their sleeves, andour town’s warm hospitality welcomingbookloversfromnearand far. Together,we’ve putPaetūmōkai Featherston firmlyonthe map-not just as anationalliterary highlight,but as oneofthe topsix Booktownsin theworld,accordingtoNationalGeographic! Thisyear, we’reproud to seeour Festival continue to grow,reflectingthe diversityand creativity of ourregion. Ourmuch-lovedYoung Readers Programmefor Wairarapa rangatahiand the
So,here’stoten yearsofbig nation-shaping conversations, stories, ideas andconnection. Whetheryou’rearegularorit’syourfirsttime, we can’twaittowelcome youfor another unforgettable KarukateaFestival-right here,in theplace we’reproud to call home
Must-see events in 2025
WESTPORT WĀHINE: BECKY AND MEL
When singer Mel Parsons andauthor BeckyManawatu burstontothe Aotearoa arts scene, no onecheered louder than their hometown of Westport.Old friends from Buller High,bothhavejustreleasedexcitingnew work Sabotage and Kataraina.Join AnikaMoa as she finds outwhatinspiresthem, howtheylift each otherup, andwhether therereallyissomething specialinthe Westport water.
YEAH, IT’S ALL GOOD: MENKEEPING THEMSELVES WELL
Whydosomany men–especially in ruralAotearoa–findithardto talk aboutwhat’sreally goingon? Join ano-holds-barredkōreroabout masculinity,mentalhealth, andwhatitmeans to keepwellintoday’s world. Thisisaconversation notjustfor theguysbut foreveryone–wives, partners,whānauand friends –because supporting themen in ourlives is something we all share. With Matt Heath, PaddyGower, FederatedFarmers Presidentand YOLO Farmer WayneLangford,and Irishwriter John Connell, ledby Phil Quin.Freecopies of Farmstrong’s book GettingThrough forall whoattend.
Sponsored by Farm Focus.
BOOKTOWN BOOKTEN GALANIGHT
CelebrateFeatherston Booktown’s 10th birthday in styleatour Gala Night–adoublebill of literary brilli andPasifika pride
We beginwithafeast forthe senses: Pasifikainspired kaionarrivaland live music from Malaga Sā Strings,beforeturningthe spotlig on thelegendary Albert Wendt.Atrueforef of Pacific literature,Albert’sstories have givenvoice andvisiontogenerationsacross Oceania– includingaformative year teachin at Greytown’s KuranuiCollege. Join Wairara Pacific communityleader Mena Antonio an powerhousepanel – Selina Tusitala Marsh, Avia, Victor Rodger, Mele Wendt, Dame Wi Laban and NafanuaKersel –astheyshare th favouritemoments from Albert’s work andt own.
Then, it’s time to blow outthe candlesa cutthe cake!
After that,the celebrations continue as our“Ten outofTen”birthdayshowcasegathers aglittering line-upoffestivalfavourites– Dame Fiona Kidman, BeckyManawatu, Chris Tse, Marilyn Waring, TusiataAvia, Shayne PCarter, Owen Marshall, Noelle McCarthy, Victor Rodger and Selina Tusitala Marsh –eachreadingfromwork that speaks to whotheyare andwhatmatters most Anythinggoes! Hosted by PeterBiggs,thisisa night to remember –comeand be part of thestory
Supported by CreativeNew Zealand PasifikaArtsTeam and LukePierson.
Don’tmissout—bookyourfestivaltickets today!
9 11MAY2025
Amessagefrom JoyCowley, Patron of Featherston Booktown:
“Every time we open abook, we step into anotherworld andfind newfriendssometimesevenanew part of ourselves. That’s themagic FeatherstonBooktownbringstolife each year.Comeand join us at theKarukatea inspire
otearoa’s sing onal s–how andtikanga ersect –u), lawyer minaries: Tā Edward Taihakurei Durie (Rangitāne,Ngāti Kauwhata,Ngāti Raukawa), former High Court Judgeand Waitangi Tribunal Chair; Annette Sykes (Ngāti Pikiao,Ngāti Mākino), Māorirights champion; NatalieCoates (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Hine,Tūhoe), Treaty lawexpert; and Herewini Ammunson (Ngāti Kahungunu/Rangitāne ki Wairarapa,TeArawa, Sāmoa),Papawai Marae chair. Expect afrank exploration of justice, reconciliation,and thefutureofAotearoa’slegal landscape.
Sponsored by ArotahiCommunications
Book tickets NOW, as events will sell out! Scan theQRcodeelsewhere on this page to go straight to theEventfinda website to bookyourtickets. Full programmedetails areonour website https://www.booktown.org.nz/festival-progamme
THE WAYOFWAIATA
SWIMMING UPSTREAM: THE RISE OF SRI LANKAN WRITING IN AOTEAROA
Waiata aremorethan songs–theyare living links to history, culture andlanguage, passed down throughgenerations. Waiata Māoriconnect us to whenua,whakapapa and whānau,carryingstories that endure.Joinexperts RiaHall (NgāiTeRangi, NgātiRanginui, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), AnikaMoa (Ngāpuhi,TeAupōuri)and Warren Maxwell (Tūhoe, Kahungunu, Ngāi Te Rangiand Scotland)for awarm, insightfulkōreroabout thepower of waiata to bring people together andkeepour stories alive.
MRS BLACKWELL’S MOTHER’S DAYAFTERNOON TEA:COOKING WITH PASSION
Your businesspartner Osborne Group
Contact Jason |Ph. 06 378 8569
3Waltons Ave, Kuripuni, Masterton 78 Main Street, Greytown www.osbornegroup.co.nz First consultation is free
TreatMum (oryourself!) to somethingspecial this Mother’s Daywithtickets to this ever-popularevent Risingstars of thekitchen, SamLow –authorof theacclaimed Modern Chinese –and VanyaInsull of VJ Cooksfame, sharetheir food journeys andfavourite recipesinaninspiring kōrero with Poet Laureate and foodie Chris Tse.Enjoy deliciouskai,livelyconversation, andacelebration of cookingfromthe heart.
SponsoredbyMillie Blackwell and theVillage Bookshop.
The DickensianBookshop &Tea Roomslook forwardtowelcoming you during theBooktown Festival
The Dickensian Bookshop &Tea Rooms –the home of fine reading and cream teas, looks forwardtowelcoming you to our bookshelvesand treating you to fresh, home baked cakes, and arange of quality loose-leaf teas and other drinks
We areproud to be hosting Noelle McCarthy and her talk on ‘Victorian Gothic’ on Saturday and Sunday.Watch out forblood-curdling screams!
We have afine selection of collector’sbooks, first editions, Folio Society books and rareAntiquarian books.
•Limited Edition of ‘The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam’ published by The Folio Society
•Very rareedition of ‘HarryPotter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’
BOOKS, TEA ROOMS
and agreat selection of Porcelain, Crystal andChina.
SriLankanNew Zealand authorsare making waves on theliterary scene, with Amma by Saraid de Silva longlisted forthe Jann Medlicott AcornPrize,and newreleasesfrom romeshdissanayake and Brannavan Gnanalingam followingonfromhis acclaimed,Ockhamshortlisted SoddenDownstream and Sprigs Dinithi Bowatte leadsalivelykōreroabout what successmeans, andhow thesewriters have forgedtheir ownpaths
MattBrownandSarah Brown(Ngāpuhi,Te Rarawa)arethepowerhouse couplebehind SheIsNot Your Rehab –amovement changingtheconversation aroundmasculinity,safe relationshipsandstoppingfamilyviolence.Fromhumble beginningsinabarbershop,theirkaupapahassparkeda globalmovement,reachedprisons,andinspiredaTED talk.JoinVictorRodgerashegetstotheheartoftheir storyandbepartofthelaunchoftheirnewbook This Is NotYours to Carry –withacopygiftedtoeverychild shelteredbyWomen’sRefuge
Sponsored by IhiResearch.
