Speakers

Matt Brown is an internationally acclaimed barber, hair artist and author. He is a survivor of family and childhood sexual abuse and shares his story with the men who frequent his busy Christchurch-based shop, My Fathers Barbers, as a way to foster vulnerability, healing, and connection.

Join Matt as he describes his work to end toxic masculinity and the cycle of domestic violence affecting families across New Zealand which he gives reference to in his book She is Not Your Rehab that he co-authored with his wife, Sarah. This powerful presentation is one you don’t want to miss!

Presentation | Thursday 15 June 6:30-8pm
Puke Ariki Museum Foyer
$20 per ticket, limited spaces available
Book now

We are thrilled to welcome one of Aotearoa’s most acclaimed authors Dame Fiona Kidman to Festival of Words Pop Up.

Join Fiona for a three-hour writing workshop where she will take participants through the craft of writing, including structuring narrative and sharing the skills and techniques she has mastered along the way.

Writing Workshop with Fiona Kidman |
Saturday 17 June 9am-12pm
Education Room, Puke Ariki Museum
$30 per ticket, limited spaces available
Book now

Fiona will also be hosting a presentation where she will discuss her work and share her passion with reference from her latest work and Ockham long listed nomination ‘So far for now’. This nonfiction work is described as warm-hearted and gutsy where Fiona describes her writing life, her research and insights.

Presentation | Sunday 18 June 11am-12pm
Bell Block Library
$20 per ticket, limited spaces available
Book now

Ultra-enthusiastic author and TEDx speaker Jolene Stockman will be speaking on how she experiences the world as tangata whaitakiwatanga (autistic person). This fast-talking, big thinking Kiwi is excited to empower autistics – and the neurotypicals who love them – with her vision of the world.

She is the author of four books spanning fiction and non-fiction, all with a motivational edge, Jolene will this year release “the ultimate instruction manual for thriving while autistic,” Autistic World Domination with Jessica Kingsley Publishers. The sequel Neuro Navigators will follow in 2024.

Jolene’s discussion will be part of a Festival of Words x Govett-Brewster Art Gallery collaboration in association with Monica Brewster Evenings brought to you by Govett Quilliam the Lawyers.

Monica Brewster Evening with Jolene Stockman
Friday 16 June 6-8pm
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery Cinema
$10 per ticket
Book now

Teresa is a successful bookmaker who enjoys the age old craft of book making and now book binding.

Teresa will be running two one-hour after school book making events for children and two three-hour book making sessions for adults.

For all of the sessions, Teresa has sourced beautiful materials including Japanese paper for the covers of the books for the adult sessions.

Teresa recently attended bookbinding week in Wanaka that was very intense working on a complicated Lyonnaise binding from the 15/17 century originally used by accountants. Leather covers, raised cords and tacketed stitching really was a challenge! We look forward to seeing you at our book making workshops.

Book making workshop for children
Thursday 15 June 3:30-4:30pm
Inglewood Library and Service Centre
$10 per ticket, limited spaces available
Book now

Book making workshop for children
Friday 16 June 3:30-4:30pm
Ōakura Library
$10 per ticket, limited spaces available
Book now

Book making workshop for adults
Saturday 17 June 1:30-4:30pm
Education Room, Puke Ariki Museum
$30 per ticket, limited spaces available
Book now

Book making workshop for adults
Sunday 18 June 10am-1pm
Education Room, Puke Ariki Museum
$30 per ticket, limited spaces available
Book now

Poet, novelist and short story writer Elizabeth Smither will be hosting a two-hour poetry writing masterclass, where she will share her love for the craft and techniques she has used over the years.

Her numerous collections of poetry have been published alongside several novels and short. We’re thrilled to have Elizabeth’s skill and poetic expertise at our Pop Up Festival this year. Don’t miss out on this special workshop! 

Poetry Writing Workshop with Elizabeth Smither
Friday 16 June 1-3pm
Education Room, Puke Ariki Museum
$30 per ticket, limited spaces available
Book now

Join Emma Barnes (they/them) in conversation. Their poetry has been widely published for more than a decade in journals including Landfall, Turbine | Kapohau, Cordite and Best New Zealand Poems. They are the author of the poetry collection I Am in Bed with You (2021) and co-editor with Chris Tse of Out Here: An Anthology of Takatāpui and LGBTQIA+ Writers from Aotearoa (2021).

Recently they've performed as part of Show Ponies for Auckland Pride in the Same Same But Different Festival.

Emma’s discussion will be part of a Festival of Words x Govett-Brewster Art Gallery collaboration.

Emma Barnes | Presentation
Saturday 17 June 1-2pm
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery Cinema
$10 per ticket
Book now