And to get the ball rolling, the call has gone out for young writers aged 15-35 years to put their hands up to be part of the festival as presenters and to take part in a three-day wānanga beforehand.
The NZ Young Writers Festival, to be held on September 13-14 this year, is a literary-focused festival celebrating a broad range of writing.
Dunedin Fringe co-director Kate Schrader said the wānanga, which would be held at Puketeraki Marae on September 10-12, would be a ‘‘unique opportunity for young writers to connect and build skills’’.
‘‘In the 11th year of the festival, we are leaning into the model of reciprocal learning, and will be holding workshops at the marae and during the festival,’’ she said.
‘‘The wa ¯nanga is part of our offering to the young writers who are participating in the festival, so they can build those important connections before getting into the festival.’’
Holding the wa ¯nanga was the brainchild of Dunedin Fringe leadership team members Jessica Latton (Nga ¯ti Wheke, Waitaha, Ka ¯i Tahu) and Anthony Deaker (Ka ¯i Tahu), who would be involved and would be taking on the roles of tuakana (guides) for the festival.
Rather than a curator, this year’s festival will be led by three newly appointed young writer tuakana, Josiah Morgan (Nga ¯i Tahu, Nga ¯ti Maniapoto), Ruby Macomber (Rotuma/ Nga ¯puhi) and Rauhina Scott-Fyfe (Ka ¯i Tahu, Ka ¯ti Ma ¯moe, Nga ¯i Pa ¯keha ¯), all of whom have had long involvement with the festival.
‘‘These three young writers will have an important role in uplifting others.’’
Ms Schrader also announced that the New Zealand Young Writers Festival Young Writer in Residence for 2025 is Dunedin writer and performer Nick Tipa (Ka ¯i Tahu), who will be based at the Robert Lord Cottage for the duration of the residency.
‘‘We are very excited that Nick, our young writer in residence, is a local person and is working on a project that is very connected to place,’’ she said.
The NZ Young Writers Festival would offer fewer events due to funding constraints, but would continue to celebrate a range of writing, including poetry, playwriting, songwriting, short fiction, novels, zines, podcasts and more, Ms Schrader said.
‘‘As part of the festival’s public programme, there will be a chance to hear from all the writers who have participated in the wa ¯nanga,’’ she said.
‘‘There will be a mix-andmingle event, which will include readings, giving young writers the opportunity to step into the spotlight.’’
There were 15 spots available for young writers to actively participate in the festival, and expressions of interest were open until this Sunday, Ms Schrader said.
‘‘We are keen to hear from young people involved in any writing practice — we want to open up the festival to as many storytellers as possible.
‘‘We welcome anyone who is curious to reach out to us with their questions.’’
For more information, visit the NZ Young Writers Festival website, youngwritersfest.nz, or find NZYoungWritersFest on Facebook or Instagram.
- brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz
