Story Worlds | Cup of Tea with a Stranger

We invite you to take part in Cup of Tea with a Stranger—a gentle, meaningful experience of connection. Inspired by the Story Worlds festival themes—Language as Living, Ecology as Becoming, and Participation as Creation—this is storytelling through presence, hospitality, and shared time.

Enjoy a warm drink and a conversation with someone you may never have met otherwise. Whether free-flowing or supported by thoughtful prompts, each exchange invites deep listening and honest reflection. Throughout the session, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with multiple people, creating space for unexpected insight and everyday magic.

Perhaps you can bring someone with you who may benefit from connection and conversation, too.

ABOUT THE STORY WORLDS FESTIVAL

Story Worlds is a new festival that invites audiences to experience storytelling as a rich, interconnected practice—through the written word, material culture, and oral traditions. Explore the programme, which stretches across Puke Ariki Museum, Libraries, and the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre for four days of sessions that celebrate storytelling in all its forms and honour the ways stories help us make sense of ourselves, each other, and the world we share.

At Puke Ariki accessibility is very important to us. We want everyone in the community to be able to enjoy our museum and libraries. A lift goes from the St Aubyn Street car park to the museum entrance. There are three lifts inside Puke Ariki that will get you to all parts of the building.

This event will be held in the Puke Ariki Library Community Lounge.