13/03/2026
Our favourite festival. Save the date!
(and book Tui Suite at Lakeview Lodge!)
We’re delighted to share the programme for the 2026 Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival!
This year’s festival brings together bold conversations, fresh ideas and an extraordinary line-up of national and international talent across 46 events. From inspiring discussions to creative workshops exploring the craft of writing, the programme promises another vibrant weekend of stories and ideas in the beautiful Wairarapa.
Key events include The Fish’n’Chip Supper featuring guest speaker, former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, the Gala Night featuring award-winning poet Tusiata Avia and Mrs Blackwell’s Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea featuring literary influencer and Olympian Gemma Flynn.
The programme also features writing and performance workshops with visiting writers Catherine Chidgey, Dominic Hoey, Michael Bennett, and Matariki Bennett.
Other fantastic presenters include Australian author Hannah Kent, Tāme Iti, Michelle Duff, Mike McRoberts, Dame Patsy Reddy, Josie Shapiro, Robert Scott, Claire Mabey, among many more. Plus, there are four free events for our young readers.
The Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival has something for booklovers, readers and writers of all ages, so join us in the beautiful Wairarapa for a celebration of all things bookish.
Tickets go on sale 9am Monday 16th March from Eventfinda.
Browse the full programme here and start planning your Festival: https://bit.ly/4lpcHCZ