On one kind of vacation, it is more about the journey than the destination. As the European summer season inches closer, we’ve found ourselves increasingly taken by the notion of skipping out on the crowded cities in favour of some solitude on the seas. At its most basic, a luxury yacht charter is an exercise in exerting autonomy over your travels, a private and bespoke experience where guests are in control of their environment and can spend quality time with their companions while venturing into paradise in style.
Motor Yacht MiMi.
When it comes to the finer details of chartering a yacht, few do it better than the 37 South team — an Auckland-based collective of yacht lovers who are genuinely committed to the cause of delivering a memorable charter. These experts know and adore the industry and the inherent joys that being on the water brings.
As Managing Director Ben Osborne says, “We add value by providing in-depth and detailed information to help our clients find the right balance of quality against cost.” Being at the top end of the industry but still a relatively small (although not insignificant) operation, Osborne explains that this means they can’t afford to spread their work too thin, and as such, clients can rest assured that they have the team’s full commitment.
Sailing Yacht Imagine.
And as winter rears its ugly head here in New Zealand, we look to far-flung destinations like the ‘Med’, where the possibilities for luxury yacht charters are practically limitless. For clients, it is a fuss-free way to holiday in comfort and luxury, exploring iconic and historic destinations without the stress of large crowds at the height of the tourist season.
When it comes down to the actual process, leaning into the support of a brokerage like 37 South is infinitely easier than trying to organise it from afar. As each client’s yacht charter experience is carefully curated, a relationship is established in the early stages of inquiry. This way, their team can find out, first and foremost, what you want to achieve; the destinations of interest, the time of travel, your companions and your needs. As Osborne says, “there is a lot more to a yacht charter than just the boat.”
Motor Yacht Aix.
With most luxury yacht charters, akin to those facilitated by the New Zealand company, your charter fee will cover the boat’s rental, insurance and crew. The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is an additional way of managing expenses and navigating budgets, including anything from fuel and supplies to tenders, toys and taxes. “The advantage of APA is that it maintains the arrangement flexibility for guests, allowing them to spend their money on exactly what they want on board during their charter,” Osborne says.
Given the bespoke nature of a charter and the abundance of factors that can alter between experiences, giving a ballpark figure of costs isn’t always easy. The yachts that 37 South work with tend to start at around USD$30,000 for a week and may range up to USD$1 million for the same period. Perhaps a significant investment, but as we’ve discovered in recent years, memories are always worth making.
Capella Hotels and Resorts, known for its luxurious properties around the world, has just opened its first Australian address, Capella Sydney. Located in Sydney’s historic Sandstone Precinct, and originally designed by architect George McRae in the early 1900s, the heritage-listed Department of Education building has been meticulously restored and reimagined, now featuring 192 guestrooms and suites, three spectacular food and beverage outlets, a sumptuous spa and wellbeing centre and a 20-metre heated indoor pool.
Inside the Capella Sydney, an exquisite collection of artworks, curated furnishings and intriguing objets d’art collide to cultivate a sense of contemporary sophistication, while clever use of materials and a strategic harnessing of natural light give the hotel a warmth that would make anyone feel immediately at home.
The rooms are beautifully appointed with deluxe textiles, custom Italian Frette linen, standalone tubs and exclusive Haeckels amenities, with the crown jewel being the 235-square-metre Capella Suite on the ninth floor. Given the hotel’s enviable location only a short walk from the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the recently-unveiled Quay Quarter Lanes precinct, alongside the range of immersive experiences it offers guests who want to see Sydney in a whole new way, Capella Sydney is the epitome of luxury and cultural connection, and is just what the City has been missing.
Undoubtedly a central component of any living area, a sofa has the power to make or break the room. As such, making sure the piece you choose is well designed and impeccably made is of utmost importance. This rings true whether your aesthetic skews towards maximalist, statement pieces or leans more on the side of sleek and uncomplicated.
The collections from New Zealand design house Tim Webber Design sit firmly in the latter category; throughout furniture, lighting and objects, an emphasis on functionality and integrity; high-quality materials and clean lines, coalesce to create pieces that exude a simplistic beauty, belying a meticulous consideration of even the smallest details.
The elegant new Copen Sofa adheres to all of these principles. Modular in design, it offers a multitude of ways to configure its sections. From a neat two-seater to a generously sprawling, family-sized sofa and ottoman to stretch out luxuriously, by simply adding or combining different modules, ultimate customisation is possible.
Functionality, comfortability and distinction lay at the core of Webber’s design process for the Copen Sofa, with its feather and foam upholstery, solid walnut or oak trim, and sleek form that encompasses both linear and round silhouettes. In fact, the rounded arm is one of the Copen’s key defining features; inspired by the interior of Copenhagen’s Round Tower, its curving shape is both a unique design feature and a comfortable support on which to rest.
Over time, requirements may change, and the beauty of a piece like the Copen Sofa is that it can evolve with the undulations of life — a sure tenet of timeless design.
With April’s arrival and the packed calendar of holidays that come with it, there seems to be no end to the delicious, enticing happenings taking place on our local dining scene. And while you may be making the most of Easter and school holidays to head out of town (we’ve got you covered there, too), our April dining guide showcases just how tasty Auckland is looking for anyone sticking around. From restaurant takeovers to vegan extravaganzas and intimate, bespoke dinners, we’ve got the intel on exactly what to book for the month ahead.
Left: In Fashion at Bivacco with Superette. Right: Flora & Fizz, Rooftop at QT.
In Fashion at Bivacco with Superette
Attention lovers of fashion and fine food, Bivacco is set to host its first ‘In Fashion’ event (tipped to be an ongoing series for the lauded Viaduct Harbour destination) in collaboration with Superette later this month, and we’re excited. Set to take place from 12pm until 4pm on Thursday the 27th of April, with support from Winger Maserati, this ticketed event will see Bivacco put on a delicious three-course shared lunch complemented by flutes of Moët & Chandon Champagne and a Malfy Gin cocktail, all of which guests can enjoy while Superette showcases its new arrivals via a sleek runway show — shoppable on the day. Tickets are $150 per person (available here) with a goodie bag included, and the lunch and show will be followed by a rousing DJ set from the Sweet Mix Kids. An afternoon not to be missed.
Flora & Fizz at Rooftop at QT
The Rooftop at QT has unveiled its latest pop-up, Flora & Fizz, showcasing Perrier-Jouët Champagne throughout the month of April. The design-led hotel has transformed its signature rooftop into an enchanted garden of whimsical elegance, with a delicate touch of flora and fauna adorning the venue, evocative of Perrier-Jouët’s iconic bottle design. A tableside Champagne tasting flight is available, and the event’s canapé menu, creatively fashioned by Sean Connolly (the hotel’s Creative Director of Food & Beverage) will be expertly paired with each Champagne drop. During the six-week event, Rooftop at QT will offer specials on the full range of Perrier-Jouët Champagnes and three effervescent cocktails curated by the Rooftop at QT’s mixologists. The Sunday Club in April features DJ Venetia Clark on the decks, two-dollar natural Oysters, and special pricing on Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, making it an unmissable occasion that is sure to draw us all down to Viaduct Harbour.
Bar Non Solo’s New Lunch Menu.
Bar Non Solo’s New Lunch Menu
Despite it’s relatively uncomplicated offering (read: good food and good alcohol), Bar Non Solo has quickly become an inner-city favourite in its arguably short tenure. This season has seen the launch of a new lunch menu at the establishment, which pleads the case for a slightly more indulgent ‘power lunch’. Here, for a mere $25, you can choose from a selection of handmade pasta and seasonal pizzas, alongside one of their delicious beverages that includes the befitting Aperol Spritz. Running from Tuesday through until Friday, midday until 3pm, there’s never been a better case for skipping the takeaways.
Harvest Deli at Wynyard Pavillion
Napier’s beloved Harvest Deli can this week (April 18 — 21) be found at Wynyard Pavillion, operating from 11:30am until 4pm (and potentially later should the anticipated demand arise). The menu consists entirely of Italian-style sandwiches made on focaccia bread, with all sandwiches made to order and cured meats freshly sliced. All fairly priced at $20, they include feature fillings such as Egg & Cheese Omelette, Prosciutto di Parma, Pistachio Mortadella, Naples Salame and Roasted Vegetables. The pop-up will also offer a selection of fried foods, including Italian loaded fries, and a combo mix of fried mozzarella and tuna olives. Additionally, they will serve coffee and salentina, a cold almond coffee from Sicily.
Origine Cocktail Kitchen.
The Cocktail Kitchen at Origine
Conceived by Ahi chef Josh Phillips and mixologist Egor Petrov of Origine’s Le Bar and Bayside Rum Co., this degustation series is limited to ten individuals per dinner and aptly titled The Cocktail Kitchen by Josh & Egor. For the first iteration of the series, diners feasted on a series of food and cocktail pairings that highlight locally sourced ingredients from around Aotearoa (including Ahi’s bountiful garden) and delight in intricate flavours enhanced through methods of fermentation, preservation and carbonation — and we’ve got it on good authority that guests can expect a similar level of excellence for this month’s iteration. You can find more details and book your spot once the dates are confirmed here.
Ruby Loves To Cook at No. 7
Come late April, one of our favourite effortlessly cool cafe-cum-bars will invite Ruby Harris (also known as @rubylovestocook) to take over the kitchen for a special two-night pop-up affair. The three-course dinner at Pitt Street’s No. 7 includes a drink on arrival, with the menu yet to be unveiled but promising the same deliciously homecooked-style fare. We’ve heard talks that this will be Harris’ last dinner of the likes before heading over to London, and for that reason alone, we think it necessary in your month’s dining agenda.
Balmoral Street Food Market.
One Last Balmoral Street Food Market
With the organisers heading overseas to greener pastures (there’s really a theme here), we thought it fitting to include the final Balmoral Street Food Market to grace our culinary scene, on Friday the 21st of April. This market is a convergence of food, arts and music, the former of the three being the most important here. Home to all of our up-and-coming favourites on the street food scene, like WoodSpirit, Cheeky Fala and Gran Sasso Pizza, it might be the last time for some time they all unite under one banner.
Andiamo’s Vavasour Experience.
Andiamo’s Vavasour Experience
The offering of a special autumn lunch experience throughout April by Andiamo and Vavasour wines presents an opportunity for diners to indulge in a curated menu featuring dishes such as burrata with scorched carrot and red wine risotto with salt baked smoked beetroot. The menu is complemented by a selection of Vavasour wines, carefully chosen from Marlborough’s Awatere Valley. The two-course menu comes at a reasonable price of $50 per person with the option to add sides and dessert for an additional cost. Bookings can be made via their website, and the experience is available from Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 3pm at the stalwart’s beloved Jervois Road outlook.
Left: Great NZ Toastie Takeover. Right: Good From Scratch Cookery School Cyclone Relief Dinner.
Great NZ Toastie Takeover
The annual Great Toastie Takeover will again take hold in mid-April, leading the search for the country’s most superior toasted sandwich. This year marks the sixth anniversary of the beloved competition, which has grown increasingly popular year after year. Cafes and bistros, bars and food trucks nationwide will all participate. Each contender’s toasted creation will feature on their menu from the 14th of April until the end of May — and the finalists will even be available until late June. And most importantly, the People’s Choice Award will return this year, allowing Kiwis to vote for their favourite eatery and toastie. Last year’s event saw guests savour an impressive turnout of 180 entries and more than 140,000 toasties. You can find all the details, as they emerge, here.
Good From Scratch Cookery School Cyclone Relief Dinner
The severity of Cyclone Gabrielle may have died down, but its impact continues to reverberate through the Muriwai community. In a display of neighbourly solidarity, Kiwi chef Michael Van de Elzen has thrown open the doors of his Good From Scratch Cookery School, hosting a fundraising dinner and charity auction to raise funds for those affected by the storm. On Saturday, the 22nd of April, guests will savour an eight-course Degustation Dinner, a culinary ode to the bounty of the region, lovingly crafted by a constellation of top local chefs. But the fare on offer is not the only temptation — attendees will have the chance to participate in a live charity auction, where proceeds will be directed to the Muriwai Community Recovery Charitable Trust, providing much-needed support to those grappling with the aftermath of the storm. Wine, beer, and cider, sourced from local vineyards and breweries, will be available for purchase, as will non-alcoholic beverages. For those eager to contribute to the cause, tickets are available for $240 per head, though bookings here are essential.
Parisian Matt Gosset is no stranger to Auckland hospitality. In fact, he has spent the better part of two decades serving authentic French food to the most discerning diners. And his latest destination, Paname Social, feels like the culmination of his culinary journey thus far. Officially opening this week, the new inner-city bistro was imagined to replicate the European cafe culture Gosset was so fond of in his native Paris. Having now borne witness to it first-hand, we’d agree that it feels utterly European (and very chic).
Most recently, the team behind Paname Social were responsible for K’Road’s Atelier (and before that, Wynyard Quarter’s Wander and Point Chev’s Ambler), which is where the vision for this latest opening began. But Gosset’s history with Lorne Street dates back some 12 years earlier. He originally opened La Boulange, a four-square-metre operation where The Receptionist now lives. Back then, he explains that his landlord justified the high rent for a small floorplan on the basis that 17,000 people were walking past every single day. That was a massive part of the appeal that drew him back to the CBD too. “Half of Auckland doesn’t come [to the City], but half of Auckland is right here.”
Right: Oeufs cocotte, champagne ham, crème fraîche, gruyère, soldiers.
Not that Auckland is poised to become the new Paris, but Gosset knows just how great a city can be when the culinary scene has a life of its own. He shares some of his fondest memories of getting a steak and a bottle of wine with friends at 4am, after a long shift on the floor himself, or even the simple habit of getting an afternoon coffee. “The City needs more,” he explains. “Where do you get a coffee after 3pm? Where do you get a glass of wine on a Monday?” He shares that his goal was to bring a tiny touch of European culture into our local dining scene.
And here, it is easy to see the inspiration. Paname Social’s front-of-house is run by fellow Parisian Matt Ferrgati, whom Gosset brought over from Atelier. (Only recently, the duo discovered their paths crossed as both worked at the same restaurant in Paris, nearby Champs-Élysées, at different times.) The team has also employed French culinary talents in both the kitchen and bar, the latter where possessing a discerning taste in wine is essential.
Left: Millet porridge, coconut milk, macadamia, nectarines, white and milk chocolate shards.
The menu came from the collective of experience (and the inimitable talents of Atelier’s Alexis Petit, who is lending a hand while Paname Social opens). Gosset tells me that the menu is French-inspired, with many dishes grounded in authentic recipes and ingredients sourced from local French suppliers. It ebbs and flows between day and night seamlessly, where breakfast dishes like the traditional Oeufs Cocotte (which Ferrgati explains is akin to a French shakshuka) meet the Millet Porridge — which draws on a North African influence commonly found in Parisian cuisine.
It is a bistro-style menu at night, where delicate market fish topped with clams and drowned in beurre blanc is served alongside Frenchiladas, a favourite of Gosset’s, that he describes as a French-Mexican hybrid of beef bourguignon, comté cheese, pea cream and blue corn tortillas. In these dishes alone, it is evident that ingenuity is an essential part of the excellence of the food here, and is just as important as its provenance, as well as the way in which cultural and culinary history are folded into every dish.
Right: Market catch of the day, clams, beurre blanc.
And at Paname (which is actually a fond local nickname for Paris reflecting the popularity of Panama hats in the early 1900s), hospitality extends beyond the food. The wine list here is impressive, with more than 40 varietals available by the glass hailing from both New Zealand and France, as well as Australia, Spain and Argentina. These are complemented by a curated champagne menu designed to be served alongside oysters from Te Matuku, Te Kouma and Bluff.
As far as the space itself is considered, the fit-out, designed by Gosset himself, responds to the building’s enduring history, both as a legacy hospitality destination and the century that predates it. Having recently undergone an extensive renovation led by Australian Architects Warren and Mahoney, the HB Building is home to a host of office spaces as well, whose staff add to the lively and busy nature of the expansive floorplan.
And so, Paname Social feels like the kind of destination where one could easily spend a whole day. It could be as simple as a coffee and croissant before going to a nearby office, or a bottle of wine with friends before heading to the theatre. And yet, for those seeking a long, languid lunch in an undeniably convenient location, this destination also answers that call. Ultimately, we see it quickly becoming one of those multi-faceted outposts that respond to our collective everchanging needs, the kind of restaurant that we won’t be able to get enough of.
Opening hours: Monday — Tuesday, 7am until 3pm Wednesday — Friday, 7 am until 12 am Saturday, 8 am until 12 am Sunday, 8 am until 3 pm
If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s the importance of turning our homes into sanctuaries that reflect our personal values and concerns. One design trend that embodies this idea is the use of raw, organic materials such as timber, stone and grainy textures. These materials offer a sense of authenticity and a connection to the natural world and deliver a finish that is as warm and comforting as it is chic and timeless.
One local brand that we often turn to when thinking about this trend is Tim Webber, where the unique, New Zealand-designed furniture showcases the beauty of raw materials. The Pivot Coffee Table, for example, features a solid walnut dowel that meets a walnut T-frame, providing contrast between the cylindrical and flat surfaces. Available in either solid walnut or oak with a top in either polished Pietra or Carrara marble, this striking piece is both functional and beautiful, and exemplifies how natural timber and stone can shine as a centrepiece in the home.
Really, the buzzword here is ‘hyper-texturality’ — a term coined by trend forecasters to describe this focus on natural qualities stripped of all synthetics. The products that play into this idea offer a sense of authenticity, quality and craftsmanship that consumers are seeking as a counterbalance to mass-market production. Take Menu’s Reverse Table Lamp for example, (another product available from Tim Webber) its conical travertine base and smooth bronze shade proof that raw materials can make even the simplest of pieces striking.
As we continue to prioritise wellness and sustainability in our homes, the trend towards raw, organic materials is sure to continue. Whether it’s through furniture, decor or building materials, these materials offer a sense of connection to the natural world that is increasingly important in our modern lives. Here, we round up some of our favourite examples of this trend from Tim Webber’s impressive offering, in a bid to inspire a more natural approach in your interiors.
The newest addition to Auckland’s host of intimate dining spaces is Kingi Private. This latest opening promises to be a truly unique experience that combines the relaxed warmth of Kingi with the refined elegance of The Libraries at The Hotel Britomart. Tucked away in the hotel’s heart, this private dining and meeting space is designed to bring people together for a feast or to do good business, and is quickly becoming chatter among those in the know.
Here, Kingi Co-Founder Tom Hishon cultivated a relaxed ambience. Upon entering the light-filled dining room, guests are greeted by a breathtaking raw-edge swamp kauri slab table, which serves as the space’s centrepiece. Beneath a shimmering fish-scale chandelier, diners can sit back and relax in comfortable padded chairs. The glass-boxed larder kitchen allows guests to catch a glimpse of the chefs as they prepare seasonal dishes, creating an immersive dining experience.
But Kingi Private is more than just a place for special meals. At the room’s north end, an elegant wooden sideboard conceals a 65″ screen, which can be used to host board-style meetings, intimate product launches or special presentations. The space is equipped with high-speed internet connectivity and state-of-the-art AV facilities, making it an ideal location for productive business meetings.
The culinary team have designed a sumptuous five-course tasting menu that reflects the restaurant’s sustainable and seasonal ethos. They have sourced their ingredients from their most cherished producers, creating new and exciting dishes that are sure to delight the palate. “We’re going to have some fun in this space and create an interactive experience that will be remembered for all the right reasons,” Hishon shares.
Kingi Private is designed for up to 14 guests for a sit-down meal or 12 for a catered meeting or presentation. It is the perfect venue for those seeking a more intimate dining experience as much as it is a productive and inspiring space to do business. The space is now open for bookings here, with seatings available from Saturday, the 1st of April, onwards.
Ultimately Kingi Private is a testament to the beauty of blending warmth and elegance. It is a space that allows guests to escape the stresses of the city and indulge in a unique and unforgettable experience. The space is designed with attention to every detail, from the furniture by designer Simon James to the bespoke tableware created by ceramicist Rachel Carter. And from here, it is evident that Kingi Private is more than just a private dining and meeting space; it is a true work of art.
While we know the great importance of inner beauty, focusing on its external counterpart can be just as important for how we feel about ourselves. Here, we delve into all the excellent formulas, innovative beauty tools and new rituals we have been embracing in our pursuit of glowing skin this autumn. This is everything to know about in the beauty realm right now.
Bare Necessities
Inspired by the natural, fresh-faced look of no-makeup makeup, this style emphasises subtlety and understated elegance. With a focus on flawless skin and neutral, earthy hues, it is about embracing your inherent beauty with fresh-faced rosy cheeks for an effortless look that is both timeless and contemporary.
From left: Augustinus Bader Lip Balm from Spring Store, PAT MCGRATH LABSSkin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation from Sephora, Strobe dewy skin tint fluide from MAC, HOURGLASS Ambient Lighting Powder from Net-a-porter, Bobbi BrownLongwear Cream Eyeshadow Stick from Smith & Caugheys, Surratt BeautyArtistique Liquid Blush from Mecca, By Terry Eclat Opulent Serum Foundation from Mecca.
Beauty & Grace
The latest addition to the pantheon of innovative autumn beauty products is none other than Dermalogica’s Phyto Nature Oxygen Cream, a highly-touted skincare solution that promises to reinvigorate ageing skin by harnessing the power of oxygen-optimising botanical actives. By enhancing the skin’s oxygen absorption, this transformative cream imbues a youthful, lifted, and revitalised appearance while effectively mitigating the effects of fine lines and wrinkles. With a formulation consisting of rare and premium actives like Ligustrum Lucidum seed, Nasturtium Flower, Astragalus, Luffa Root, and Rose of Winter, each delivering essential oxygenation, hydration, and antioxidant benefits, this innovative liquid-cream moisturiser defies the conventions of traditional, heavy creams for ageing skin.
The eyes are not just the windows to the soul, but also to the body in tandem. Neglecting eye care can lead to a host of issues, and unfortunately, wrinkles here are some of the first to set in. But fear not. There are a host of revolutionary new products designed to keep our eyes looking fresh, without depriving them of their personality-giving power.
From left: Allies of Skin Peptides Omega Firming eye cream from Mecca, DR. DENNIS GROSS DRx SpectraLite EyeCare Max Pro from Net-a-porter, Radiance Eye Cream from Sothys.
Eternal Essence
The celebration of Diptyque’s enduring perfume Do Son persists with a series of inventive and creative artistic collaborations. These include a recently published book by photographer Tim Walker and a new animated film, which portrays the recollections and the fragrant essence of the Vietnamese coastal town that inspired the scent.
Melding two of the world’s most beloved beverages, the latest drop from The Macallan offers a unique, sensory experience. The Macallan, the revered Scottish distillery known for its exceptional whiskies, has recently unveiled the second iteration of The Harmony Collection, an annual release that is known for its imaginative approaches. The series, driven by the brand’s endless curiosity and pioneering mindset, incorporates organic by-products and transforms them into something new.
This year’s offering from The Macallan Harmony Collection draws inspiration from the Ethiopian Arabica coffee bean and celebrates the world of coffee. The collection features two single malt whiskies, The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired By Intense Arabica and The Macallan Harmony Collection Smooth Arabica, that are perfectly designed to complement coffee.
The creation of these delectable whiskies, with their distinct flavour profiles, was a labour of love for Whisky Maker Steven Bremner. To achieve perfect balance, he sought the assistance of world-renowned coffee experts and hosted a masterclass. Among them were Scottish coffee roaster Lisa Lawson, American barista Andrea Allen, coffee historian Professor Jonathan Morris and Ethiopian coffee grower Kenean Asefa Dukamo.
Inspired By Intense Arabica, with its bold and sweet espresso-like taste, and Smooth Arabica, with its gentle spice and soft Americano flavour, both of The Macallan’s new whiskies are made to be paired with coffee, offering a whole new way to enjoy this historic spirit.
The packaging of the whiskies is a homage to their coffee roots too, made out of repurposed coffee-bean husks, a by-product of the coffee-making process. The innovative packaging was created in collaboration with paper expert Michele Posocco from Italian paper mill Favini and boasts vibrant Pantone red (which speaks to the coffee fruit colour for the Inspired by Intense Arabica drop) and bright Pantone green (which is used on the Smooth Arabica drop to represent an unroasted coffee bean).
The Macallan’s new release is a testament to its inquisitive and inventive spirit, offering a sensory experience that merges the worlds of coffee and whisky. Through collaboration with experts, The Macallan has created a collection that provides a fresh way to enjoy their renowned whisky and garner new appreciation for the journey of coffee, from field to cup.
Being writers ourselves, we could wax lyrical about how much we look forward to the Auckland Writers Festival line-up every year. And truthfully, our local literary festival is one of the best, bringing some of the most epic writers to our shores year after year. The 2023 Auckland Writers Festival programme sees a return to the original, 100 percent in-person format, hosting more than 160 live events spanning six days in late May. But with such a stacked line-up, including a raft of esteemed international figures to compliment our local talents, we have cherry-picked this year’s highlights so you can book your space — STAT.
On Never Giving Up: Bernadine Evaristo Thanks partly to the unprecedented success of Girl, Woman, Other, Bernardine Evaristo has swiftly become a household name that defies genre or reader. Often joking that she is an ‘overnight success four decades in the making’, the Booker Prize winner lands on our shores to share her memoir Manifesto: On Never Giving Up. In conversation with Paula Morris, Evaristo will discuss the depth and breadth of her career and how she has used her newfound notoriety to champion others’ creative work and rights, especially writers of colour. Saturday the 20th of May, 5.30pm — 6.30pm
Kim Hill in Conversation with Double Pulitzer Prize-Winning Colson Whitehead Colson Whitehead, a two-time recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, is a rare talent in the literary world. He is the only writer to receive consecutive awards for his thought-provoking works, including his best-selling novels, The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys., widely acclaimed for their unflinching portrayal of racial injustice, delivered with a biting wit that can only be described as lived. His latest novel, Harlem Shuffle, is the first in a trilogy set against the backdrop of the civil rights era, exploring the themes of crime and heist. In conversation with the always-probing Kim Hill, Whitehead will delve into what inspires him to create his art, shedding light on his creative process and the motivation behind his exceptional storytelling. Friday the 19th of May, 8.30pm — 9.30pm
Birnam Wood: Eleanor Catton Arguably one of our most brilliant literary exports, having gained global recognition for the genre-bending epic The Luminaries, Eleanor Catton’s latest novel has already been released to great acclaim — and now she brings it to the 2023 Auckland Writers Festival to talk with Noelle McCarthy about what compelled her to write this epic romp through our national parks, with rare earth mining, deep surveillance, guerrilla gardening and so much more. Catton will also join Bernardine Evaristo and Shehan Karunatilaka for a separate panel discussion on the complexities of winning The Booker Prize. Saturday the 20th of May, 7pm — 8pm
Life Beyond The Clock: Jenny Odell Jenny Odell, acclaimed author of the New York Times bestseller How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy, has become an essential voice in our modern society. Her fiercely intelligent and original approach confronts the relentless demands on our time and focus, dismantling the pervasive cult of efficiency. Her latest book, Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock, delves deeply into the fundamental structure of our society, revealing that the clock we live by is designed for profit, not people. This intimate discussion promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of the cultural moment in which we find ourselves, with attendance essential for any with a semblance of social curiosity. Tuesday the 16th of May, 8.30pm — 9.30pm
Bonus Event: The Art of Noticing: A Masterclass with Jenny Odell. This masterclass offers an opportunity for a select few to learn from the inimitable mind of Odell — who credits much of her literary mastery to the subtle act of observation. Tickets and more information are available here.
Streetside Britomart Taking over the inner-city precinct, here, performers, poets and writers of all creeds converge for a night-long affair of readings, declarations and live storytelling to reclaim the land they stand on. Festival organisers describe this as one of their favourite events, year after year. The 15-minute showcases facilitate a spirited and constantly moving experience, where local literary minds are finally given a soapbox to stand upon — and we wait in great anticipation for what they have to say. Friday the 19th of May, 6.15pm — 7.45am
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