THE BIGGEST NAMES IN BOOKS ARE COMING TO AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL WAITUHI O TĀMAKI IN MAY 2026
A star-studded line-up bursting with well-known literary powerhouses, global thinkers and fresh new voices will take to the stage for the 27th Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki from 12–17 May. Announced today, the programme features more than 220 artists from across the country and the world in over 170 events, creating a party-like atmosphere that will take over the Aotea Centre and other central city venues. The annual event is one of the biggest festivals of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, with 2025 seeing more than 85,000 attendances and a staggering 12,000 books sold – testament to New Zealanders passion for books, reading and big ideas. The programming prowess of Artstic Director Lyndsey Fineran and a team of staff and guest curators have delivered a Festival that will entertain, enlighten and inform every type of reader.
View the programme and get tickets
