Media panel a Queenstown Writers Festival first

Crux founder and managing editor Peter Newport will sit on a panel of working journalists for a discussion on the future of New Zealand's media at this year's Queenstown Writers Festival.

Joining him will be investigative journalist and new Stuff recruit Paddy Gower and Sunday Star Times chief news director Craig Hoyle.

The conversation will be chaired by Queenstown-based Stuff reporter Debbie Jamieson.

The Queenstown Writers Festival takes place every two years, and brings writers and readers together to celebrate books, literature and words in many forms - and this year's programme was released last night.

The trustees organising it say they are bringing the biggest and most diverse literary festival yet to the region.

More than 25 nationally acclaimed writers are taking part in events including author conversations, workshops, a book launch, and theatre, alongside the media panel.

Festival chair Tanya Surrey says Te Atamira is again the home of the festival, hosting events from Thursday, October 31, through to Sunday, November 3, with some events at local libraries and in Wānaka for the first time. 

“The festival team is thrilled to be bringing the magic of storytelling to the Queenstown Lakes with some of the best writers in Aotearoa New Zealand joining us.”

The curation of this year’s festival had been a labour of love with the volunteer trustees spending many hours deliberating over the programme, Ms Surrey says. 

“The breadth of literary talent across the motu is exceptional.

“It has been a pleasure to collaborate with other arts groups to present a wide-ranging programme.

“Literary festivals around the country have been thriving in recent times and I am optimistic that audiences will enjoy the events in our 2024 programme. It is designed to delight and inspire.”

The guest list is led by an "outstanding" selection of non-fiction writers who have written some of New Zealand’s best-selling books of 2024, including journalist Steve Braunias, and television personality Jude Dobson, who wrote the incredible story of WWII spy Pippa Latour.  

Journalist Paddy Gower will also appear following the publication of his first book in late September.

Dr Emma Wehipeihana (Espiner) will discuss her gutsy memoir with Otago University’s Dr Jacinta Ruru, Craig Hoyle will share his heart-wrenching story of growing up gay in an Exclusive Brethren family in Invercargill, and Olive Jones’s tale of establishing and maintaining one of New Zealand’s most long lasting communes will feature.

An acclaimed mix of fiction writers includes well-known children’s author Gavin Bishop, one of New Zealand’s most challenging and fun writers Pip Adam, bestseller Rachael King, and one of this year’s newest literary sensations, Saraid de Silva.

Former cage fighter Airana Ngarewa will share his stories of growing up in small town New Zealand as published in Pātea Boys, while Claire Baylis discusses her novel dissecting the internal workings of a jury with Dunedin-based defence lawyer Anne Stevens KC, a veteran of more than 170 jury trials.

Central Otago’s own Kyle Mewburn will talk about her first novel for adult readers, Scott Bainbridge discusses his most recent New Zealand true-crime books, Glenorchy-based book cover designer Holly Dunn shares secrets of the professionals, while Lil O’Brien and Kathryn Van Beek talk about their unique collection of essays on motherhood and its absence - Otherhood.

Author of 'Feijoa' Kate Evans will talk about her deep dive into the story of one of our favourite fruits with Craig Hoyle, in Queenstown and Wānaka, while Gavin Bishop will also travel over the Crown Range for one of his free library sessions for children.

An icon of broadcasting, music and writing in Aotearoa, Karyn Hay, will speak about her new writers’ podcasts before the return of the popular Sampler Session where six invited local writers showcase their work.

A limited number of tickets are available for the Friday night gala opening hosted by Queenstown comedian Emma Lange and including short tales of aroha from six invited writers.

And in a special treat, Jacqueline Bublitz will bring a slice of New York glamour to the festival when she is joined by Margaret O’Hanlon to launch her new novel, a much anticipated follow up to her award winning debut Before You Knew My Name.

An evening of live poetry performed by renowned poets Tusiata Avia, Tayi Tibble, Hera Lindsay Bird, and Daren Kamali has been made possible in a special partnership with Te Atamira, while Remarkable Theatre will perform two nights of literary-inspired works - Love Letters and Chook Chook.

Festival workshops are always popular and this year we are offering an editing workshop with Harriet Allan - one of New Zealand’s most highly respected editors - and a poetry workshop with poet and The Spinoff’s advice columnist Hera Lindsay Bird.

Full details of the programme can be found on the event's new look website www.qtwritersfestival.nz from today, with ticket sales on Eventfinda.

Further information regarding the return of the Queenstown Writers Festival Short Story competition, generously sponsored again by Anna-Marie Chin Architects, will be revealed on the website over the next month.

Main images (Supplied/Stephen Tilley (Paddy Gower)): Journalist Paddy Gower, left, of 'this is the fucking news' fame, and Crux managing editor Peter Newport will take part in a panel discussion on the future of New Zealand's media at the 2024 Queenstown Writers Festival.