About Lit.

Lit. Whanganui Booklovers Festival conjures a diverse bi-annual programme of books, reading, writing, authors, discussion, and ideas from across the motu and beyond, to entertain, educate and charm our Whanganui bookloving community. Because of our location and our attitude, we’re an intimate and vibrant festival that directly connects writers to audiences.

Between festivals, we also play host to a string of author events, hand selected to bring storytelling personalities to the Whanganui community.

Lit. Whanganui Booklovers Festival is run by a small dedicated team of volunteers. Our current crew is Karen White (chair), Kat Schroyens (treasurer), Sharyn Wallace (secretary), Tanya Hayton, Waiora Bailey-Moore, Teresa Cimino, Rose Miller, Rebecca Moody, Terry Sarten.

Our history

Started by local novelist, playwright, and teacher Joan Rosier-Jones in 2006, The Lit. Whanganui Booklovers Festival (previously The Whanganui Literary Festival) has been a biennial event in the cultural calendar since 2007.

Initially a festival for local authors, it rapidly expanded to include authors from across the country, and across all book genres. Regular guest Witi Ihimaera has described the festival as “The best regional literary festival in New Zealand…” The festival has always attracted interesting and varied authors – from garden experts to household names to Ockham winners to the newly published.

Past guests

2023: Desmond Bovey, Peter Burke, Gordon Collier, Stephen Davis, Witi Ihimaera, Stephanie Johnson, Sue McCauley, Paula Morris, Jock Philips, Fiona Sussman, Chris Tse

2019: Albert Belz, Paul Cleave, Joanne Drayton, Fiona Kidman, Tina Makereti, Leah McFall, Corey Mosen, Ron Palenski, Amber Rose

2017: Nick Bollinger, Adam Dudding, Fiona Farrell, Roger Hall, Sarah Laing, Christadolous Moisa, Terry Sarten, Jo Seagar, CK Stead, Selina Tusitala Marsh

2015: Quinn Berentson, Jarrod Gilbert DR, Charlotte Grimshaw, Nicky Hager, Rachael King, Sarah O'Neil, Nalini Singh, Paul Thomas, Tim Wilson

2013: John Adams, Joe Bennett, Witi Ihimaera, Christine Leunens, Greg O'Brien, Grant Smithies, Geoff Thomas, Judith White, Xanthe White

2011: Elizabeth Knox, Douglas Lloyd-Jenkins, Bill Manhire, Brett McGregor, Jenny Robin Jones, Joseph Romanos, Elizabeth Smither, Vanda Symon, Peter Wells

2009: Steve Braunias, Glen Colquhoun, Kate De Goldi, Dylon Horrocks, Kevin Ireland, Alexa Johnston, Fiona Kidman, Ray McVinnie, Diana Neild, Nicky Pellegrino, David Young

2007: Aitini Beautrais, Ken Benn, Elizabeth Coleman, Val Cowan, Merania Karauria,  Graeme Lay, Owen Marshall, Jim McGregor, Gordon McLaughlan, Wendy Pettigrew, Diane Ruth Pettis, Penny Robinson, Joan Rosier-Jones, Hayley Solomon, Kirsten Warner

2006: Norman Bilbrough, Felicity Campbell, Vonnie Cave,  Val Cowan, Mary-Jane Duffy, Ann-Marie Houng-Lee, Merania Karauria, Jim McGregor, Joan Morrell,  Jim Parnell,  Penny Robinson, Owen Scott, Hayley Solomon