WORD Christchurch is delighted to announce the appointment of Ōtautahi’s own Steph Walker as its new Executive Director.

Steph replaces Marianne Hargreaves who is stepping away after 11 years in the role.

Steph Walker – Word Christchurch new Executive Director

With a background in arts management and marketing, Steph Walker has spent 15 years spearheading arts programmes and special projects in Aotearoa, London and Australia. She begins her new role with WORD on 4 April after wrapping up her current commitments as Head of Programming at Auckland Arts Festival.

WORD Christchurch Chair Vicki Blyth says, “We’re just thrilled that we have been able to entice Steph back to Christchurch to lead the WORD team. Steph has spent the past decade away from the city building vast networks and a wealth of experience in arts and culture leadership.

“Marianne Hargreaves has made a fantastic contribution to the organisation and to the arts in the city. We are indebted to her for her ongoing commitment and advocacy.”

Steph says she’s excited to build on Marianne’s legacy and to work alongside Programme Director Nic Low (Ngāi Tahu).

“It’s been a little over a decade since I left Christchurch and I’m so ready to return with a kete full of energy and ideas.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Nic to lead WORD and celebrate the power of storytelling in all forms, along with the best writers from Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. We share an exciting vision of growth for the annual festival, already one of the city’s best events, and for developing an ongoing programme of word-related events and activities.”

The WORD Christchurch Festival will be held 31 August to 4 September 2022. The programme will be announced later in the year.

For further information:
Vicki Blyth
Chair, WORD Christchurch

Biographical Notes:
Steph Walker has been Auckland Arts Festival’s Head of Programming for the past 2 years, returning home to that Festival after 6 years in Australia.

While in Australia Steph worked at the Adelaide Festival, produced the OzAsia Festival amongst other events for the Adelaide Festival Centre; Sydney Festival; the City of Sydney’s Art & About programme and Performance Space, Sydney. Prior to this she held leadership positions at Christchurch Arts Festival during the city’s period of seismic activity (a professional and personal turning point); and at Wellington’s iconic BATS Theatre.
Steph received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Media Studies and a graduate diploma in marketing from Victoria University of Wellington, before moving to the UK where she completed a Masters in Arts Management with Distinction from the University of Greenwich.
Steph is also a freelance arts management consultant, and has completed a Level 3&4 certificate in te reo Māori at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.