After a year off, the Verb Readers & Writers Festival is back in the capital this September, bringing together more than 50 writers, artists and thinkers from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and Ireland across 26 separate events.
The festival runs from 23 to 27 September, and co-directors Kate McDonald and Gabrielle Vincent say they're thrilled to be reviving it after the hiatus.
"We are ecstatic to reveal our first programme for Verb Readers and Writers Festival," McDonald and Vincent said. "We can't wait to gather with audiences from across Aotearoa to celebrate books, ideas and unforgettable conversations."
An International Headliner
Leading the international lineup is Australian author Michelle de Kretser, described by fellow writer Ali Smith as "one of the finest writers alive." De Kretser will discuss her acclaimed book Theory & Practice alongside Kate Duignan, lead a workshop on first drafts for aspiring writers, and take part in Verb's book club event, Your Reading List.
Another standout international pairing brings together Irish writer Doireann Ní Ghríofa, joining virtually from Ireland, and New Zealand's Noelle McCarthy, whose recent books Said the Dead and Stakes both explore the history of Cork's former mental asylum, Our Lady's. The conversation will be chaired by Verb founder Claire Mabey.
Memoirs From Some of New Zealand's Most Respected Voices
Several of the festival's most anticipated events centre on personal storytelling. Beloved authors Witi Ihimaera Smiler, Elizabeth Knox and Tusiata Avia will each reflect on their own memoirs, while Knox and Ihimaera Smiler will also appear in the Verb Showcase event If This Finds You, hosted by podcast-maker Melody Thomas, in which six artists write letters to a future reader.
Musician Jon Toogood will share songs and stories from his own memoir in conversation with broadcaster Nick Bollinger, and former Governor-General Dame Sylvia Cartwright will discuss her remarkable career with journalist Anna Fifield.
Journalism and Storytelling Take the Stage
Investigative journalist and lawyer Asher Emanuel, author of The Valley, will join Aaron Smale, winner of the 2026 Te Kohu Kairangi Award for Best Reporting of Māori Affairs, for a conversation on the craft of capturing true stories, hosted by Māni Dunlop.
Debate, Playfulness and Poetry
True to form, Verb's programme isn't all serious reflection. Don't Worry, Tech Will Save Us pits team captains Chlöe Swarbrick and Toby Manhire against each other in a lively debate on technology and the future.
Elsewhere, From the Floor features Lucy O'Hagan, Carwyn Jones, Trish Harris and Kaeden Watts delivering "maiden speeches" exploring their hopes for what lies ahead.
Poetry gets its own dedicated spotlight too. Inspired by Chris Tse's new collection Dance Floor Romance, the FEVER: A Poetry Gala invites six poets to respond to a single line, "pleasure and pain share a heart." Hosted by former Poet Laureate Chris Tse, the event features Nafanua Purcell Kersel, this year's Mary and Peter Biggs Award winner for Poetry, alongside Tusiata Avia, Jackson McCarthy and others.
Supporting New and Emerging Voices
Verb has built its reputation partly on platforming debut talent, and this year is no exception. New writers Hana Buchanan, Terri Te Tau, Joseph Trinidad and Shariff Burke will all take the festival stage for the first time.
Free Events for Families
For younger audiences, Verb is partnering with the Wellington Botanic Garden's Spring Festival to present The Wild Ones, a series of free events for children and their whānau. Claire Mabey, Giselle Clarkson and Isobel Joy Te-Aho White will lead readings, games and hands-on activities in the Botanic Garden's Discovery Garden.
Between Events: A Riot of Words
On Saturday 26 September, festival-goers can head to The Tasting Room for A Riot of Words, a relaxed programme of literary activities led by Sasha Francis, designed to fill the gaps between the festival's ticketed sessions.
More to Come: VerbCrawl in November
The festival isn't done once its main programme wraps up. Verb will return on 14 November with VerbCrawl, a one-night literature takeover spanning 20 events across some of Wellington's most eclectic venues in the CBD.
Tickets for VerbCrawl will be priced at $10 each, with the full programme and tickets released in October.
Getting Tickets and Programmes
The full 2026 Verb Readers & Writers Festival programme is live now, with tickets on sale at verbwellington.nz. Hard copy programmes are available from festival venues, bookshops and cafes across the CBD from 14 August, or can be posted on request.
Unity Books continues its long-standing role as the festival's official bookseller, with staff on hand at events offering recommendations and books for sale.
This article is based on a media release issued by Verb Readers & Writers Festival.
