Globally renowned Australian author Hannah Kent, Aotearoa superstar Catherine Chidgey, activist Tāme Iti, former Olympian and popular reading influencer Gemma Flynn and former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka are among the lineup of writers, raconteurs, and thinkers at Featherston Booktown’s 11th Karukatea Festival which runs from 8-10 May.
Having recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, the 2026 festival will once again deliver an innovative, provocative and uplifting programme to over 10,000 audience members. This year’s Festival is also the first under the leadership of the new Director and acclaimed writer Jordan Hamel. Jordan says, “I’m thrilled to help bring the Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival into its second decade and to foster its continued growth. With an exciting programme, bold conversations, new innovations, and an incredible array of national and international talent, this year’s Festival proves that Booktown remains a pillar of the Aotearoa literary landscape.”
The Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival 2026 runs from 8-10 May. The programme is available at https://booktown.org.nz/.
Tickets are available at Eventfinda. Early bird ticket sales start 9pm on Friday 13 March, with tickets to
the general public on sale from 9am on Monday 16 March 2026.
