National Writers’ Hui 2025

Nau mai, haere mai ki te hui whānui o Te Hā o Ngā Pou Kaituhi Māori.

Whakapiripiri mai, whakatau mai, whakangāhau mai rā e ngā ringa tā i te reo o te ao Māori!

Kaituhi Māori! It’s time to gather up, gather in, gather close. Whether you’re just starting out, seeking community, in pursuit of wānanga or a seasoned writer, we warmly invite you to come share this space. Tēnā, tukua te hā kia rere! 

(Please scroll down to see more info about the program)

Date: Friday 29 – Sunday 31 August 2025

Venue: Kōraunui Marae

146 Stokes Valley Road, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt 5019, Wellington

(see map below)

Kōraunui Marae is an accessible venue (wharenui, wharekai and wharepaku). The Hall has four steps to the entrance. 

This event is for writers 18 years and over, unless accompanied by a ticket holding adult. 

HUI TICKETS SOLD!

To be added to the waitlist and notified if a ticket becomes available, please email store@maoriart.org.nz with the subject line “Te Hā Hui waitlist.”

Please include your name, email address and phone number.

Tukua te hā! Māori Writers’ Hui & Zine Festival 

See program below

Pōwhiri

Arrive at waharoa by 3pm, Friday 29 August, Kōraunui Marae, Stokes Valley

Te Hā o Ngā Pou Kaituhi Māori is looking forward to welcoming you all at Kōraunui on the eve of kōanga. In addition to the wharekai, we will have the use of three beautiful spaces at Kōraunui. We’ll wānanga in the wharenui (Te Ahurewa o Te Aroha), hold small-group workshops in the classroom, and make, create, chill-out and yap in the Zinemaking Hall. Some sessions will run concurrently, offering people the opportunity to move between spaces according to preference. The full schedule will be shared on arrival. 

Rāmere 29 Aug - Pō Tuatahi

Whakawhanaungatanga, kōrero from the haukāinga, whakapapa of Te Hā o Ngā Pou Kaituhi Māori, and intention-setting for the weekend. Led by Te Hā committee.

 

Am I a Writer or Am I a Storyteller – What’s the difference anyway?

Settle in for storytime with Papa Joe Harawira and Ruth Smith as we delve into our oldest narratives and consider why pūrākau & mōteatea endure beyond the page.

Rāhoroi 30 Aug - Rā tuarua

Korikori Tinana – Pū Āio (Gentle Yoga reo rua) with Hana Buchanan
(Suitable for all bodies and experience levels).

Korikori Hinengaro – Journaling guided by Anahera Gildea
(Bring your own journal or choose one from our stash of repurposed hand-made notebooks)

Te Ahurewa o Te Aroha (Wharenui)
9am-10am Pieces of the same star: Writing & Whakapapa
An intergenerational conversation between Patricia Grace, Hana Buchanan, Matariki Bennett, facilitated by Pāora Tibble.

11am-12pm First they target the storytellers: The art of activism
with Prof Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Marama Davidson, Kassie Hartendorp, Nadine Hura, facilitated by Meriana Johnson.

2pm-3pm Art as healing science with He Puna Oro
Explore storytelling, soundscapes and pūrakau spanning te ao toi – listen and reimagine the stories of our atua and their worlds with Te Kahureremoa Taumata, Sian Montgomery-Neutz, Vianney Parata and Rangimarie Sophie Jolley.

4pm-5pm In the palm of their hands: Tips to get ready to perform

Led and introduced by Nicole Titihuia and Annette Tahitahi-Fifield.

Rātapu 31 Aug - Rā tuatoru

The hui will conclude no later than 11am.
Whakapai i te marae. Reflections, feedback, tono. Facilitated by Te Hā committee.

All day Zine making in the Hall

Hosted by Te Hā ki Kirikiriroa:

From single prints to small runs to mass-photocopying, Marama Salsano, Cassandra Barnett, Hāwea Apiata and Nadia Solomon share independent publishing tips with an emphasis on joy, play and mana motuhake. Contribute to the collective gathering of knowledge while learning from fellow writers and makers in the Te Hā community. There’ll be all kinds of supplies, from paper to glue to sewing machines and typewriters. Bring your own zines to share, sell or trade.

Rāhoroi 30 Aug - Rā tuarua

9am-10am How to find (and nurture!) your own creative practice: mātauranga-led, mātauranga-embodied, kicked off by Matariki Williams.

 

11am-12pm How to activate your community: Ins and outs on organising with your mates, kicked off by Ngā Haumi.

 

2pm-3pm How to get started with a newsletter: tips and suggestions, kicked off by Nadine Hura and Cameron Taylor.

 

4pm-5pm How (and why!) to start an independent small press: be inspired to create your own space, kicked off by Damien Levi.

Rātapu 31 Aug - Rā tuatoru

In the Classroom


9am-12pm Starting a Novel: 3-hour immersive fiction workshop with Whiti Hereaka. (Limited numbers, register on the day.)

 

9am-12pm Kia Māori te Reo, Kia Māori te whakaaro: 3-hour immersive workshop on translation & editing with Ruth Smith. (He papamahi reo Māori. Limited numbers, register on the day.)

 

2pm-3pm Micro poetry workshops: Ruri Rongoā for takatāpui with Hinemoana Baker or Ki te wheiao with Anahera Gildea.

 

Pō Whakangahau / Zine Festival – hākari & waiata
Take in all the zines produced over the weekend and trade or koha your own!

 

Open mic: Facilitated by Nadia Solomon, introduced by Matariki Williams with a presentation, Narrativising Memory.

Tukua te hā! Māori Writers Hui & Zine Festival

Kōraunui Marae, Stokes Valley, Friday 29th-31st August (Pōwhiri 3.30pm)

Te Hā o Ngā Pou Kaituhi Māori is looking forward to welcoming you all at Kōraunui on the eve of kōanga. In addition to the wharekai, we will have the use of three beautiful spaces at Kōraunui. We’ll wānanga in the wharenui (Te Ahurewa o Te Aroha), hold small-group workshops in the classroom, and make, create, chill-out and yap in the Zinemaking Hall. Some sessions will run concurrently, offering people the opportunity to move between spaces according to preference. The full schedule will be shared on arrival.

Pō Tuatahi:

Whakawhanaungatanga, kōrero from the haukāinga, whakapapa of Te Hā o Ngā Pou Kaituhi Māori, and intention-setting for the weekend. Led by Te Hā committee.

 

Am I a Writer or Am I a Storyteller – What’s the difference anyway? Settle in for storytime with Papa Joe Harawira and Pāora Tibble as we delve into our oldest narratives and consider why pūrākau & mōteatea endure beyond the page.

Rāhoroi:

Korikori Tinana – Pū Āio (Gentle Yoga reo rua) with Hana Buchanan
(Suitable for all bodies and experience levels).

 

Korikori Hinengaro – Journaling guided by Anahera Gildea

(Bring your own journal or choose one from our stash of repurposed hand-made notebooks)

Te Ahurewa o Te Aroha (Wharenui):

9-10am – Pieces of the same star: Writing & Whakapapa. 

An intergenerational conversation between Patricia Grace, Hana Buchanan, Matariki Bennett, facilitated by Pāora Tibble.

 

11am-12pm – First they target the storytellers: The art of activism.

With Prof Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Marama Davidson, Kassie Hartendorp, Nadine Hura, facilitated by Meriana Johnson.

 

2-3pm – Art as healing science with He Puna Oro.
Explore storytelling, soundscapes and pūrakau spanning te ao toi – listen and reimagine the stories of our atua and their worlds with Te Kahureremoa Taumata, Sian Montgomery-Neutz, Vianney Parata and Rangimarie Sophie Jolley.

 

4-5pm – Pass the mic: Tips to get ready to perform. Nicole Titihuia and Annette Tahitahi-Fifield lead a practical and supportive discussion about voice: finding yours, learning how (ans when) to use it – and making space for others. 

All day Zinemaking in the Hall:

Hosted by Te Hā ki Kirikiriroa: From single prints to small runs to mass photocopying, Marama Salsano, Cassandra Barnett, Hāwea Apiata, and Nadia Solomon share independent publishing tips with an emphasis on joy, play, and mana motuhake. Contribute to the collective gathering of knowledge while learning from fellow writers and makers in the Te Hā community. There’ll be all kinds of supplies, from paper to glue to sewing machines and typewriters. Bring your own zines to share, sell or trade.

 

9-10am – How to find (and nurture!) your own creative practice: mātauranga-led, mātauranga-embodied, kicked off by Matariki Williams.

 

11am-12pm – How to activate your community: Ins and outs on organising with your mates, kicked off by Ngā Haumi.

 

2-3pm – How to get started with a newsletter: Tips and suggestions, kicked off by Nadine Hura and Cameron Taylor.

 

4-5pm – How (and why!) to start an independent small press: be inspired to create your own space, kicked off by Damien Levi

In the Classroom:

9am-12pm – Starting a Novel: 3-hour immersive fiction workshop with Whiti Hereaka. (Limited numbers, register on the day.)

 

9-10:30am – Tēnei au: Body, Breath, and the Written Word. The wānanga with our bodies, inquiring, listening, relating, and translating ~ sense-making through movement and words. Led by Kaia Hawkins of Manahau Embodied Movement. 

 

2-3pm – Micro poetry workshops: Ruri Rongoā for takatāpui with Hinemoana Baker or Ki te wheiao with Anahera Gildea.

 

Pō Whakangahau / Zine Festival – hākari & waiata+
Take in all the zines produced over the weekend and trade or koha your own!

Open mic: Facilitated by Nadia Solomon, introduced by Matariki Williams with a presentation, Narrativising Memory.

Rātapu:

Poroporoaki. The hui will conclude no later than 11am.
Whakapai i te marae. Reflections, feedback, tono. Facilitated by Te Hā committee.