The British Council New Zealand and the Pacific is pleased to support the appearance of Bernardine Evaristo and Anthony Joseph at the festival. They will participate in a number of events, listed below.
Every year the Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi O Tāmaki sets the cultural agenda in Aotearoa, as the world’s best writers and thinkers arrive in Auckland for one week only, in a series of public events to inspire, entertain and challenge the status quo.
This year’s festival marks the first time in over three years that international authors will return in an all-live programme on-stage in central Auckland. The week-long celebration of books, authors and ideas will include ticketed and free events in the Aotea Centre and select venues across the city.
Festivalgoers will hear from outstanding fiction and non-fiction authors, musicians, scientists, artists, historians, innovators, and food and art critics from New Zealand and around the world. They’ll experience exclusive insights and debate on significant global issues – from climate change to gender identity, wild food foraging, Indigenous perspectives, the downsides of social media, breaking female sport stereotypes, and whether writers can be replaced by chatbots.
On Thursday, May 18, 2023, Auckland Girls Grammar School had the honor of hosting Bernadine Evaristo. Coincidentally, it was Pink Shirt Day, an anti-bullying initiative, which led to some students wearing mufti attire (prefects were in uniform), and the school even found a pink lei for Bernadine to wear during her talk. Her presence was met with immense enthusiasm from both students and teachers. The event was attended by 60 students, 8 teachers, and the librarian, creating a vibrant and engaged audience.