Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki

2 days ago
1 min read

2 screens on stage with a speaker and audience

The 2026 Festival had record attendance of 90,000 and featured 250 writers and speakers.

The Foundation’s support for the 3-day Schools Programme, Hōtaka Kura, and the weekend families programme, Pukapuka Adventures saw some spectacular numbers:

Free attendance for all teachers, and low student prices to ensure accessibility
Delivery of the dedicated families programme, Pukapuka Adventures
Creative writing workshops for all students, including workshops for primary students
Commission, design and printing of the annual READ THE WORLD publication given to all intermediate and secondary school students

speaker walking on stage looking at audience

The numbers achieved this year were spectacular:

21,000 students attended multiple events over three days of Hōtaka Kura
48 Primary, 52 Intermediate and 77 Secondary Schools
54 Schools from across Auckland, Waikato, Whakatāne and Northland were assisted by Freemason Foundation’s Transport Subsidy Grant

Put the 2027 dates in your diary now!

11 - 16 May.

audience looking at a stage with a speaker and banners hung
A city square with banners and people sitting and walking by