Pukapuka Adventures

Experience another action-packed Pukapuka Adventures programme with enthralling events for tamariki and their whānau – all absolutely free. Get curious with us and explore the enchanting worlds of books through music, dance, potion-making, sleuthing, drawing, interactive storytelling, creative crafts, and plenty of laughs!

How to Festival for Families

PARKING

The Civic Car Park is under the Aotea Centre with entry from Greys Avenue, in which there are a few pram parking spots. Limited pre-pay parking can be purchased – see aucklandlive.co.nz

FOOD AND DRINKS

Drinks and refreshments are available for purchase at the Aotea Centre and in Aotea Square. There will also be Food Trucks situated in Aotea Square during the Festival weekend. Level 5 will have lunch tables available for families, so feel free to pack a lunchbox. Water refill stations are dotted around the venue.

ARE YOU BRINGING A BABY? (BYOB!)

There are elevators that provide access to each level of the Aotea Centre, and a designated spot for prams on Level 5. Baby change stations can be found on Level 3 and a parents room with change stations on Level 2 in the Aotea Centre. We are a breastfeeding friendly event space.

FREE PUKAPUKA ADVENTURES EVENTS

Feathered Findings

Bird spotting stations:10.00am-3.00pm

Giselle’s Tour: 10.30-11.00am & 1.00-1.30pm

Aotea Square

Flock to Aotea Square and become a top bird investigator with the help of Giselle Clarkson’s fact stations. Inspired by her exquisite and comedic book, Omnibird, you’ll discover the extraordinary features of ordinary birds that live above our heads every day.

Explore the stations at your own pace, or join Giselle for a lively, interactive tour packed with tips for budding avian detectives. Rain or shine, we will be bird spotting.

Illustrations © Giselle Clarkson

Pukapuka Adventures - Saturday 16 May

Saturday Events

10.00-10.30am – The Farmer’s Pyjama Party!

Lions, dinosaurs, jellyfish and kiwi – this is not your average farm! Get curious in this sparkling interactive read-aloud by Ruth Paul as she brings a handful of her charming picture books off the page and onto the stage using props and sound. You’ll even get to giggle along to her brand-new picture book The Farmer’s Pyjamas. And yes – you’re welcome to wear your pyjamas!

10.45-11.15am – Niu Tupu Tales

Get whisked away on a joyful adventure to the island of Niue and discover the wonders of niu (coconuts). Inangaro Vakaafi’s playful book Hunt for Niu Tupu celebrates cultural knowledge and discovering treasures in your own backyard. Gather close as Inangaro shares her story, reveals the many uses of niu and gets you on your feet dancing and singing about the coconut.

11.30am-12.00pm – Figs and their fans

Champi loves juicy, fresh figs but she’s not the only one! Follow Champi and her brother on a fun-filled adventure to meet playful animals who can’t resist this tasty fruit. International Booker Prize winner Deepa Bhasthi reads Champi and the Fig Tree in English and Kannada, and shares tales from her own farm in India. Supported by SALT (South Asian Literature in Translation)

ಅಂಜೂರ ಅಂಜೂರು ಯಾರ ಅಂಜೂರು/ Anjoora, Anjoora, Yaara Anjoora, written by Deepa Bhasthi, illustrated by Joanna Mendes, published by Pratham Books, 2024.

11.00am-12.00pm – Create with Nature

Inspired by Thank you, Forest by Finnish author Johanna Venho and illustrator Sanna Pelliccioni, this creative session with Oratia Books teaches you how to craft your own nature notebook celebrating imagination and the beauty of the natural world.

Thank you, Forest, by Johanna Venho, illustrated by Sanna Pelliccioni, translated by Jen Pulju Porter. Published by Five Oceans, an imprint of Oratia Books, 2025.

12:15-12:45pm – Junior Sleuths Wanted!

Help our hound crack the case! Join Detective Stanley for a mystery-solving adventure that will put your sleuthing skills to the test. Work alongside creators of the Detective Stanley series, Hannah Tunnicliffe and Erica Harrison, to uncover clues, assess the suspects and pronounce: “Case Closed!” Junior Detectives will leave with instructions for drawing Stanley and creating their very own comic-strip mystery. Recommended for 5+ but all ages welcome.

Illustrations ©Erica Harrison 2026

1.30-2.00pm – Beastly Magic

Little witches and wizards, it’s time to summon a beast! Come plot and scheme with our Grand High Witch, Claire Mabey (The Raven’s Eye Rebellion), and design a spell that will conjure a one-of-a-kind creature. Dream up your magical ingredients, toss them into the bubbling cauldron, and together we’ll bring a wondrous beast to life while illustrator Alba Gil Celdrán (Dragonfall) captures your creation in a spellbinding illustration. Recommended for 5+ but all ages  welcome.

2.15-2.45pm – Ready to Rock!

Meet Violet Grumble, rock star in the making, and her band of ragtag friends. Armed with big band dreams and plenty of mysteries to unravel, join author Rachael King as she takes you on a wild ride through her loveable series Violet and the Velvets. Expect an electric event of music and storytelling, sure to inspire your own mystery stories. Recommended for 5+ but all ages welcome.

3.00-3.30pm – Whiskers & Wild Quests

What if your pet became the hero of an epic adventure? Join bestselling author Stacy Gregg (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Pukeko, Ngāti Maru Hauraki) for a highly creative, animal-filled session inspired by her thrilling book The Last Journey.   Join in the fun, hear about what it takes to bring your own pets alive on the page and even take to the stage to participate in a wild, whiskery performance for cat-lovers with main character kitty energy!  Recommended for 7+ but all ages welcome.

12.00pm-1.00pm & 2.00-3.00pm – The Book Doctor Is In!

Got a serious case of “what-do-I-read-next-itis?” or “post-dream-book-blues?” Then it’s time to visit The Book Doctor! Line up for your very own book prescription from the team at The National Library. Tell them your favourite reads and they’ll diagnose the perfect cure for your next reading adventure!

Pukapuka Adventures - Sunday 17 May

Sunday Events

10.00-10.30am – Kupu Found

“My Mum is collecting words. You see, a long time ago, lots of the words were left out or replaced. Slowly they were forgotten.” Author Kimberley Ngareta Kearney (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūhoe) shares her touching pukapuka The Lost Words where a mother reclaims te reo Māori for her family. Afterwards, tamariki and their adults are invited to take part in a playful game, learning everyday kupu they can use together beyond the Festival.

10.00-10.30am – The Farmer’s Pyjama Party!

Lions, dinosaurs, jellyfish and kiwi – this is not your average farm! Get curious in this sparkling interactive read-aloud by Ruth Paul as she brings a handful of her charming picture books off the page and onto the stage using props and sound. You’ll even get to giggle along to her brand-new picture book The Farmer’s Pyjamas. And yes – you’re welcome to wear your pyjamas!

11.30am-12.00pm – Ride along with Lulubug

Lulubug, Granny P’s beloved 1970s red Morris Minor, is having a few troubles after years of adventures and it might be time for a replacement ride. Enjoy Paula Walsh’s charming story, New Wheels for Granny P, then help guide Lulubug home in a fun interactive activity.

We’ll also celebrate the launch of Little Bug Books. We'll provide the party hats; you bring the vibe. Toot toot!

Auckland Writers Festival