Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki Board of Trustees welcomes Sam Elworthy as Nicola Legat steps down.

Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki has appointed leading New Zealand publisher Sam Elworthy to its Board, as long-serving Board member Nicola Legat ONZM steps down after eighteen and a half years.

During her tenure, Nicola has brought a wealth of publishing and sector expertise to the Festival, drawing on her leadership of Massey University Press and Te Papa Press, as well as her previous role as Publishing Director of Random House New Zealand.

Sam Elworthy brings extensive publishing knowledge and industry experience to the role. He is Director of Auckland University Press and a former President of the Publishers Association of New Zealand Te Rau o Tākupu.

Board Chair Charlotte McLoughlin thanked Nicola for her contribution and welcomed Sam to the Board.

"Nicola has been a guiding figure for the Festival over many years, bringing wisdom, generosity and deep knowledge of New Zealand literature to both the Board and the wider Festival community. We will miss her enormously, but she now passes the baton to Sam, whom we welcome warmly to the Festival whanau.”

Reflecting on her time with the festival, Nicola says:

“It’s been an honour, a privilege and a joy to serve on this board, with brilliant, committed fellow trustees. The Festival’s achievements and ambition are nothing short of remarkable, and I know it will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Sam Elworthy says he is looking forward to joining the Board.

“Auckland Writers Festival plays a vital role across New Zealand’s literary and publishing communities. I look forward to contributing my experience and helping to shape the festival’s next chapter.”