www.hamiltonartsfestival.co.nz/tag/hamlit/
Part of Hamilton Arts Festival -Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa, 21 February-2 March 2025
HamLit is an exciting new series of bookish events taking place in the glorious Hamilton Gardens this coming February. A literary festival within a festival, HamLit will serve up a stimulating smorgasbord of events for readers and writers.
A captivating literary weekend, authors from around the motu will join local Waikato talent for sparkling conversations that aim to inspire and delight.
Opening on Saturday February 22 at 10am, join comedian, actor and raconteur Penny Ashton for A Garden (Reading) Party in the charming Mansfield Garden. Tickets to the opening experience ($12) include free entry to the Gardens and an ice cream. Bring a book, a blanket or a chair and allow yourself to be transported on the wings of literature and witty repartee and share what you’re reading with like-minded souls.
With the scene set for a compelling weekend of writerly events, book lovers will then drift through to the Medici Court where over two days, thirty authors will discuss everything from the joys of foraging and feijoas with Peter Langlands, author of Foraging NZ and Kate Evans author of Feijoa, to the vital importance of protecting our waterways with acclaimed environmentalist Mike Joy, author of The Fight for Freshwater.
Other discussions will see Karyn Hay, an author in her own right, talking to Jude Dobson and Diana Wichtel about their best-selling books The Last Secret Agent and Unreel.
The multi-talented Jennifer Ward-Lealand will kōrero with Monty Soutar and Vincent O’Malley about their most recent works, Kāwai: Tree of Nourishment and The Invasion of Waikato, Te Riri Ki Tainui and broadcaster/writer Miriama Kamo will discuss fiction with Airana Ngarewa, The Bone Tree, The Pātea Boys, and Michelle Rahurahu, Poohara.
Hamilton born and bred co-curator Elisabeth Easther says she’s honoured to be part of this illuminating celebration of readers and writers. “I’m thrilled to know I’m going to hear some of my favourite authors talk about their work in such a picturesque setting!” says Easther.
To find out more or to book tickets please go to: www.hamiltonartsfestival.co.nz/tag/hamlit/
For media enquiries, please contact Elisabeth Easther on 0211856619, elisabeth.easther@gmail.com or Bridget van der Zijpp on 021 176 8221 bridgetv@xtra.co.nz
Full programme:
Saturday, February 22, 10am-11am
The Garden [Reading] Party: BYO book and a blanket or a chair for an hour of reading in paradise with your host Penny Ashton. Ticket price includes a free ice cream, plus free entry to the Gardens.
Saturday, February 22, 11:30am-12:30pm
Foraging with a Side of Feijoa: Author Peter Langlands will discuss his deeply held fungi obsessions with Kate Evans, a journalist, regular contributor to NZ Geographic and self-proclaimed feijoa fanatic.
Saturday, February 22, 1pm-2pm
The Fight for Freshwater: Senior researcher Mike Joy discusses his life’s work and his fascinating new memoir The Fight for Freshwater with award-winning journalist and former Waikato Times editor Venetia Sherson.
Saturday, February 22, 2:30pm-3:30pm
At the Heart of It: The writing of both Airana Ngarewa (Pātea Boys, The Bone Tree) and Michelle Rahurahu (Poohara) is fresh, gifted, irreverent and authentically Maaori. Both writers talk about their source and intentions with broadcaster and writer Miriama Kamo.
Saturday, February 22, 4pm-5:15pm
Slings and Arrows: Six exceptional writers speak about the moment when the urge became strong and they couldn’t escape their inspiration. Featuring Scott Bainbridge (The Heist), Claire Baylis (Dice), Charity Norman (Home Truths), essa may ranapiri (Echidna), Tina Shaw (A House Built on Sand) and Tracey Slaughter (The Girls in the Red House Are Singing).
Sunday, February 23, 11:30am-12:30pm
A Past That Lives and Breathes: Vincent O’Malley and Monty Soutar, two eminent historians discuss their passion to enliven Aotearoa’s past, and their discoveries along the way, with Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand.
Sunday, February 23, 1pm-2pm
Intrigue and Intelligence: Jude Dobson, author of The Last Secret Agent joins
Unreel writer Diana Wichtel to discuss life’s many intrigues with broadcaster and novelist Karyn Hay.
Sunday, February 23, 2:30pm-3:30pm
Be Not Afraid Of Greatness: Authors Jamie Pennell and Matt Heath discuss what they’ve learned about life with comedian and raconteur Te Radar.
Sunday, February 23, 4pm-5:15pm
Sweets to the Sweet: A fun event where six talented writers take to HamLit’s garden stage to share an entertaining personal tale about someone (or something) they get a kick out of. Featuring Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku (Hine Toa: A Story of Bravery), Andrew Fagan (Swirly World: Lost at Sea), Chye-Ling Huang (Camp Be Better) , Isla Huia (Talia), Jacob Rajan (Indian Ink Theatre Company), and Marama Salsano (To Feel the Earth as One’s Skin: An Anthology of Indigenous Visual Poetry).
