About Us
What are the dates of the 2025 Auckland Writers Festival?
Tuesday 13 - Sunday 18 May 2025
Are there any free events at the Festival?
Yes! We offer over 25% of our programme to the public as Free Events. Admission to Free Events is on a first-come, first-served basis. Bookings are not taken for these events.
You are encouraged to arrive early as Free Events are extremely popular and seats are limited. Queues can start to form as early as 45 minutes prior to the event starting!
Are Festival events recorded?
There will be film and sound recordings of each of the sessions for archival and publicity purposes. Click here to view a collection of videos and podcasts from past festivals.
These will be made available on the Festival website. It is possible that audience members’ images will be included from time to time in the filming. Should you wish not to be filmed, please advise an usher. No flash photography or recording by attendees is permitted.
Where can I view past Festival programmes?
Where can I enquire about lost property?
All lost property from the Festival has been passed on to Auckland Live. If you lost something at the venue, please email lostproperty@aucklandlive.co.nz and tell them:
- What did you lose?
- Where did you lose it?
- When did you lose it?
- What event were you attending?
- Anything else that might help us find your property.
Are there any events for children?
Yes, Pukapuka Adventures is a programme of lively, entertaining and free special events for children on Saturday and Sunday. These events will be held in the 5th Floor of the Aotea Centre. We also have a number of ticketed family events - see our website event pages for more details.
Our 2025 Schools Programme runs Tuesday 13 May - Thursday 15 May.
For further information contact: schools@writersfestival.co.nz
Can I volunteer at the Festival?
Yes! Each year the Auckland Writers Festival recruits a team of approximately 140 volunteers, without whom the event would not be possible. Find out more about Volunteering.
Do you run professional development events for writers?
The Festival runs 14 Masterclasses for writers of all levels.
Can you put me in touch with an author on the programme?
We are not able to pass on contact details for or messages to authors attending the Auckland Writers Festival – please contact the writers’ publisher or agent. If you have a media enquiry, please contact info@writersfestival.co.nz
Can I present my work at the Festival or recommend an author for the event?
Invitations are issued at the discretion of the Artistic Director, who designs the programme well ahead of each Festival.
Each year the Festival receives many unsolicited submissions from authors wishing to speak at the event or people putting forward an idea for the programme. We welcome these suggestions, but due to the large volume we are not able to respond to every submission or return materials sent for consideration. Please contact the Festival Office if you would like to submit a pitch for consideration.
Contact
If you have questions unanswered by this FAQ page, please Contact Us.