Ōtepoti Dunedin literature lover Dianne Brown has seen a few festivals in her time. This year we asked her to bring her expertise as a speaker and as a spectator. Read on for her reflections….

A poetic reflection on the unforgettable and landmark work of Apirana Taylor by Ati Teepa. Ati said it was the best poetry performance he had ever witnessed and was moved to write a poem of his own to capture the memory. We are honoured to share Ati’s poetic tribute to Apirana here. You can also listen to the podcast version of this event find on our website….

Nadine Hura author of Slowing the Sun joined us for the Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival. If you don’t follow Nadine’s blog subscribe immediately. With a careful and considered lens Nadine observed our festival as a participant and as an audience member. She took our whānau focussed vibe seriously and we were honoured to have one of the stars of her book with us – her mum. We are thrilled to have Nadines reflection of our festival to share with you. Read here for her take on the thing and enjoy her generous style.

One of our favourite superstars in the festival lineup this year was the incomparable former Burns Fellow, Playwright, Producer and Writer Victor Rodger ONZM. Invited especially to be part of the Hone Tuwhare Poetry Series – It won’t be a Lonely Walk. Victor flew in from Paris for the festival with loads of gorgeous books (& clothes) and we kept him locked here using our notorious weather for as long as we could!

We’re sending a massive mihi to Victor for making four amazing appearances on the programme while slightly jetlagged. We especially admired your fortitude in travelling out to our beach each morning for a swim and  your great humility in your session with Apirana Taylor.

Victor offered some reflections on his visit and festival experience.....

As the flames of our festival die down, we sit in the quiet glow. We have a wealth of warm memories to share. Join us as we roll out some key reflections from our readers and writers. They’ll come in poems, pictures, written accounts and eventually as podcasts of the precious recordings we made together. Let’s start at the beginning…