Witi Ihimaera | ‘Witi Unwrapped’

Friday 10 October | 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM | HB Williams Memorial Library, Mahutonga Meeting Room | Entry: Free

The HB Williams Memorial Library Teen Writers Hub are thrilled to host renowned author Witi Ihimaera and other teen writers for a fun-filled 360 interview.

Rangatahi will put Witi under the microscope to extract what they want to know about writing. Witi can give as good as he gets. He wants to know what rangatahi writers want. Who will roast who?

Expect a few laughs and a lot of learning at this event as one of Aotearoa’s most beloved and well-known authors, fences words with the writers of the future. 

Paula Morris  MNZM | Author Talk

Saturday 11 October | 10.00 AM – 11:00 AM | HB Williams Memorial Library, Papatipu, Teens Space | Entry: Free

Award-winning novelist, short story writer, essayist and editor Paula Morris (Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Manuhiri) will be joining us for an inspiring talk about storytelling, history, identity, and exploration.

Also learn more about Wharerangi The Maori Literature Hub. A comprehensive resource for Maori writers, offering information, opportunities, and a platform for creative works.

Leeanna Morgan | Self-Publishing Workshop

Saturday 18 October | 9.30 AM – 12:00 PM | HB Williams Memorial Library, Mahutonga Meeting Room | Entry: Free
Registration: Essential via gpl.govt.nz

HB Williams Memorial Library is delighted to present a Self-Publishing Workshop with USA Today Bestselling Author Leeanna Morgan.

Based on the Kapiti Coast Leeanna published her first book in 2014.  Since then all of her books have been self- published and in the past decade Leeanna has been able to generate a six figure annual income from her writing exclusively.  Including a dynamic Q&A session make sure to be there if you are interested in following suit!

Te Pihinga | NZ Author Edition

Thursday 9 October | 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | HB Williams Memorial Library | Entry: Free | For Ages 2-5 years

Join our Thursday morning Te Pihinga sing-along and story time session at the library for a special New Zealand author edition.  Enjoy stories written by kiwi authors and sing along to some of our favourite kiwi waiata.

Mo ngā tāngata he kōrero Māori

Monday 13 October | 10:00 PM –11:00 AM | HB Williams Memorial Library, Mahutonga Meeting Room | Entry: Free

He kōrero no Te Runanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa e pā ana ki te hekenga mai o te māori mai i Hawaiki ki Tūranganui a Kiwa.  He kōrero anō hoki mo te kumara me te waka Horouta. 

Nau mai, haere mai, rarau mai.

Taranga Kent | Literary Taxidermy

Monday 13 October | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | HB Williams Memorial Library, Mahutonga Meeting Room | Entry: Koha

Explore new avenues for creativity with our Literary Taxidermy session. This is a fun writing exercise to stitch together a flash fiction piece with a sentence starter and final sentence provided. You create the 'stuffing' that comes in between.

Kelly Blackwell | Creative Character Development Using Dungeons & Dragons

Tuesday 14 October | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM | HB Williams Memorial Library, Matariki Meeting Room | Entry: Free | Registrations Essential: Email kelly.blackwell@gdc.govt.nz

Storyteller Kelly Blackwell will take your character design concept on an epic writing quest inspired by the popular roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons!

This guided journey strengthens your connection to your character as you explore motivation, deeper desires and physical attributes. 

Then play it all out using writing prompts and the luck of the dice

No previous experience required – Bring along your own character concept.

Researching for Writers: A Lock-In Event with Nga Kaituhi Māori

Tuesday 14 October | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | HB Williams Memorial Library | Limited spaces available | Registration: Essential via www.gpl.govt

Step into a night of inspiration, creativity, and focused writing at our exclusive Researching for Writers Lock-In. This after-hours event is designed to give writers—emerging and experienced alike—a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in their craft, surrounded by the rich resources of the library and the support of expert Research Librarians.

A Story from Horouta

Wednesday 15 October | 10:00 AM –11:00 AM | HB Williams Memorial Library, Mahutonga Meeting Room | Entry: Free

Join Te Runanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa for a story from Tairāwhiti. 

You’ll hear about the origins of local Māori from Hawaiki to Turanganui a Kiwa and the discovery of kumara and how it was brought to the Tairāwhiti region on the waka Horouta.

Nau mai, haere mai, rarau mai.

Taranga Kent | Poetry Film: A visual presentation of your poetry

Wednesday 15 October | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | HB Williams Memorial Library, Mahutonga Meeting Room | Entry: Koha

Great for sharing your work on social media, websites or Youtube channels, using for marketing your book, or simply as a legacy for your tamariki and mokopuna to cherish.

Explore the option of recording your poetry as a visual presentation (think short film/video).

Taranga Kent is a teacher, author, poet, proofreader and photographer. She writes poetry, short stories, children's picture books, songs and educational resources. Taranga has taught creative writing workshops at writers' retreats and schools, as well as judging poetry and speech competitions. She is looking forward to being part of the Hui Kaituhi programme.

Tours | The Story of HB Williams Memorial Library

Thursday 16 October | 2:00 PM –3:30 PM | HB Williams Memorial Library, Bright Street Entrance | Tours Depart at 2.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.00pm | Entry: Free

A unique opportunity to learn the stories behind our landmark community space.  Renowned for its distinctive architecture and provenance HB Williams Memorial Library holds an exclusive status among public libraries. 

Join one of three 30 minutes tours lead by our knowledgeable library guides, as they step you through the story of HB Williams Memorial Library.

Aaron Compton | Found Poetry

Friday 17 October | 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM | HB Williams Memorial Library | Entry: Free

Local poet, Aaron Compton, will be hosting a one off Found Poetry session for teens. Found Poetry involves harvesting words from existing texts to create something new.
A fun opportunity for Rangatahi to learn how to find the poetry hiding in books, newspapers, and screens – all they need to do is get rid of the extra words!

Aaron Compton is a writer and prize-winning fiction editor.  His work has appeared in numerous anthologies, including Kaituhi Rāwhiti: a celebration of East Coast writing, and Mayhem Journal.