Last held in 2023 in front of a packed-out and spellbound room, Poetry and Music makes its return to the Festival, once again pairing the four finalists in the poetry category of this year’s Ockham New Zealand Book Awards with the brilliant musicians of the Ockham Collective (a charitable trust devoted to fostering creativity and connection in Tāmaki Makaurau).

The poets read and the musicians interpret, making for a mesmerising performance.

Poems from Hopurangi – Songcatcher, the shortlisted collection of Robert Sulivan (Ngāpuhi, Kāi Tahu) will be read by his niece, poet Amber Esau (Ngāpuhi / Manase), and singer and performer Hinekoia Tomlinson (Ngāti Hine, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Awa) will respond.

C.K. Stead reading from In the Half Light of a Dying Day and Emma Neale reading from Liar, Liar, Lick, Spit will be paired with cellist and pianist Rachel Fuller and opera singer Catrin Johnsson.

And Richard von Sturmer will read from his finalist book Slender Volumes, with actor and musician Tom Knowles (Rongowhakaata) interpreting.