Books

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Making it worthwhile

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Making it worthwhile

From shy South Dunedin school boy to deputy prime minister, Grant Robertson’s journey from Dunedin to Wellington and back again has been remarkable. He talks to ODT political editor Mike Houlahan.

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‘I just want it to be complex’

Irish writer Nicole Flattery is enjoying her time on Otago Peninsula staying at Caselberg House...

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‘I just want it to be complex’

Irish writer Nicole Flattery is making the most of being in Dunedin to finish her long-awaited second novel. She talks to Rebecca Fox about finding her way as a person and writer.

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Decision made to close flood-damaged bookshop

Downtown Book Exchange owner Sharon Sculpher (left), her brother in-law, James Richards, and her...

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Decision made to close flood-damaged bookshop

A burst pipe has washed away a Dunedin bookshop owner’s childhood dream and forced her business to close for good.

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Waitaki writer’s collection wins NZSA prize

Oamaru writer Susanna Elliffe will have her winning collection of short stories published in 2026...

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Waitaki writer’s collection wins NZSA prize

Oamaru writer Susanna Elliffe has received an "outpouring of love" after winning an award for new writing with a "unique and original vision".

A gathered history of occupation

The Lee Island (Te Ana-au) rock shelter site as envisaged in use by the artist Chris Gaskin. The...

A gathered history of occupation

In this extract from a new edition of archaeologist Atholl Anderson’s book The Welcome of Strangers, A History of Southern Māori, he details the vast extent of māhika kai.

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Many books sodden after pipe bursts

Downtown Book Exchange owner Sharon Sculpher is surrounded by numerous damaged books after a...

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Many books sodden after pipe bursts

Countless books have been lost to frigid waters after a morning frost burst a pipe above a Dunedin bookshop.

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‘Enriching’ opportunity for Poet Laureate

One of Chris Tse’s proudest moments, being presented the Poet Laureate tokotoko (ceremonial...

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‘Enriching’ opportunity for Poet Laureate

In his last months as New Zealand’s Poet Laureate, Chris Tse has been connecting with fellow laureates and poets in Europe.

Obituary: Maurice Gee

Maurice Gee at the Auckland Central Library in 2006, the day after winning yet another New...

Obituary: Maurice Gee

Maurice Gee was one of New Zealand’s most decorated authors, his books for children and adults winning awards at home and abroad.

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'Gator on run for three years

Saturn the alligator, in Moscow Zoo in 2009. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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Alligator captures Burns Fellow’s imagination

At 200kg, Saturn was a muscle-bound fellow with a menacing smile and a more-than-slightly aggressive nature.

Good and funny, if not definitive

Jacinda Ardern visiting the University of Otago in 2020. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

Good and funny, if not definitive

Former prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has a book out that certainly reads like her authentic voice, writes Mike Houlahan.

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Nurture meets nature

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Nurture meets nature

As doubt hangs over the future of the College of Education’s Children’s Writer in Residence programme, current resident Samantha Montgomerie knows how lucky she is to have the gift of time.

Concept of landscape beyond the picturesque

Cape Armitage, Antarctica. Stark and inhospitable Antarctic landscapes are a recurring feature of...

Concept of landscape beyond the picturesque

Making sense of landscapes is more than an academic exercise for Matt Vance’s Innerland, and it is certainly not a travelogue about New Zealand’s top scenic trails.

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Book ‘in very good hands’ for adaptation

Dunedin author and University of Otago Stuart Professor of Scottish studies Liam McIlvanney’s...

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Book ‘in very good hands’ for adaptation

What could be worse than your child disappearing?

Escaping into romantasy

Lauren Roberts celebrates the publication of Fearless with Instagram and TikTok influencers....

Escaping into romantasy

The huge popularity of romantasy fiction’s handsome princes and horny dragons tells us something about what women want, writes Sophie Heawood.

Storytelling gets technical

Author Karen Wrigglesworth visits the grave of James Balfour, a marine engineer who designed the...

Storytelling gets technical

A residency in Dunedin provided the breakthrough for writer and technical storyteller Karen Wrigglesworth, so she is hoping that another visit to write will prove to be equally successful.

Tributes for author Maurice Gee

Maurice Gee. Photo: Supplied/Nelson City Council

'An intergenerational legacy': Tributes flow for Maurice Gee

The death of well-known Kiwi writer Maurice Gee has prompted many New Zealanders to pay tribute to the late novelist.

Dealer sickened by plan to destroy half a million books

Some of the books from the National Library's overseas published collection. Photo: Supplied /...

Dealer sickened by plan to destroy half a million books

The country's largest second-hand book business wants to save half a million books from being disposed of by the National Library of New Zealand.

'Day of the Jackal' author Frederick Forsyth dies

British novelist Frederick Forsyth, who authored best-selling thrillers such as "The Day of the Jackal" and "The Dogs of War", has died aged 86.

Stories from the heartwood

Stories from the heartwood

A new collection of short writing doubles down on language, Tom McKinlay writes.

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Invasion of the red tide

Dr Octavia Cade. Photo: Gregor Richardson

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Invasion of the red tide

As climate change is the big issue of the day, there is plenty of scope for Dr Octavia Cade's brand of science fiction writing.

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