Literary lectures

Reading and writing in the digital era is celebrated by Lani Wendt Young, who charts the increase in brown, Pacific and LGBTQ voices. More people then ever are reading what speaks directly to them. Read more Audio

Owen Marshall, the country's leading writer of short stories surveys his chosen literary form in his 2017 Book Council Lecture, talking of the authors who have influenced him, and his audiences. Read more Audio

In her lyrical and amusing 2016 Book Council Lecture, poet and academic Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh takes the listener from the book corner of the Avondale Salvation Army shop to Westminster Abbey. Read more Audio

In the 2014 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture, Gavin Bishop explores memories from his own childhood, and talks about the business of writing and drawing for children. Read more Audio

Novelist and biographer Sir James McNeish offers a non-academic approach to the theme of creative non-fiction. During the lecture he raises two cheers for eccentricity. Audio

Acclaimed New Zealand author Marilyn Duckworth reflects on her own career and the change in the literary scene in New Zealand since she became a published writer. She is introduced by Jenny Pattrick.

The lauded New Zealand children's author Joy Cowley reflects on the development of children's literature in New Zealand. She is introduced by James McNeish. Audio

The 2009 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture features the well-known author William Taylor, reflecting on a forty-year career of writing for children and young people. Audio

The 2009 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture features the well-known author William Taylor, reflecting on a forty-year career of writing for children and young people. Audio

The 2009 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture features the well-known author William Taylor, reflecting on a forty-year career of writing for children and young people. Audio