Step away from the Insta feed, fashion lovers! A most unlikely collection of New Zealand garments from the 1970s and ‘80s gets a rare outing at the 2025 WORD Christchurch Festival.
Central Otago farmer Eden Hore amassed the collection of over 220 garments and displayed it in a converted tractor shed on his Māniatoto property until his death in 1997. Authors Jane Malthus and Claire Regnault, who tell Eden’s story in their book ‘Central Otago Couture’, are on the WORD programme in a session that includes a rare look at pieces from the collection.
Their book includes photographs by Derek Henderson, some reproduced here, that place garments from the collection in the Central Otago landscape.
Jane and Claire join more than 100 writers, thinkers and performers from Aotearoa and around the world for the festival, which runs from 27 to 31 August. Most tickets are priced under $25.
Also on the programme is Australian writer Charlotte Wood and Australian Indigenous poet and artist Dominic Guerrera. Catherine Chidgey joins WORD fresh from a UK tour with her bestselling ‘The Book of Guilt’. Damien Wilkins will discuss his novel ‘Delirious’. Becky Manawatu performs poetry in Confluence, a celebration of cultural, musical and ancestral connections. The festival also celebrates treasured Ōtautahi Christchurch author and illustrator Gavin Bishop.
Comedian Tom Sainsbury lures out literary dirt from writers Kate de Goldi, Rachel Paris and Josiah Morgan. Petra Bagust and Niki Bezzant will help with navigating mid-life. Ali Mau, Diana Wichtel and Susie Ferguson feature with their revealing and entertaining memoirs. And Steve Braunias will spill the beans about the Polkinghorne case.
Want a conversation on conservation? Rosemary Baird talks about Manapōuri, our biggest environmental protest. Ecologist and author Mike Joy and chief executive of Te Kura Taka Pini Gabrielle Huria will encourage us to dip our toes further into water. Author and environmentalist Dame Anne Salmond will talk about her career and causes.
For media junkies, The Spinoff’s Toby Manhire, Radio New Zealand Chief Executive Paul Thompson, The Press Editor Kamala Hayman and former Head of Premium for New Zealand Herald Miriyana Alexander discuss the state of our media. Michael Belgrave, author of ‘Becoming Aotearoa’, explores our history; and there’s some sharp satire about Wellington’s political powerbrokers with Brannavan Gnanalingam.
The popular Risky Women returns, featuring daring wāhine sharing moments when they took a chance in their personal or professional lives. Discover the weird and wonderful obsessions of six brave writers in Cabinet of Curiosities. Have a Beer with writer and raconteur Duncan Sarkies in a night of comic storytelling. Join Ray Shipley for good vibes in their Late Night Poetry Hour. Head along to Chris Tse’s last hurrah as the New Zealand Poet Laureate at Love at First Line: A Poetry Dating Show, where three mystery poets woo, with just their words, live on stage.
Join All Blacks’ psychology coach Gilbert Enoka as he shares secrets to success, defines resilience and talks about how to foster a winning team culture. Dr Lucy Hone, Jake Bailey and Dr Maysoon Salama talk about how they overcame some of life's toughest challenges, and Dr Jo Cribb provides comfort with Don’t Worry About the Robots.
Several visiting writers will share their skills in masterclasses, and there is a free workshop on self-publishing.
Music on the menu includes conversations with emerging and established hip-hop artists.
WORD Festival executive director Steph Walker says she is proud to present a festival that will appeal to all ages and all readers, podcast, performance and music lovers.
“This year we’re offering a bold mix of more than 50 vibrant events, with over 22 percent of the programme free and selected sessions pay-what-you-can, thanks to the support of our partners. WORD is for anyone with a curious mind and a sense of fun. We can’t wait to welcome you!”