PLOT TWIST

11.50am – 12.50pm, Vault
Claire Mabey (The Raven’s Eye Rebellion) presents a hands-on introduction to using tarot to unlock creativity.

12.40pm – 1.40pm, Rangatira
A steamy session discussing the hottest genre in the book world with Ruby Wallace, Ivy Cliffwater and Shanna Tan.

1-2pm, Loft
A bold, intimate conversation exploring Pacific writing beyond expectation and what writers are reaching for when they choose desire as a compass with Tusiata Avia, Amber Esau, Danielle Kionasina Dilys Thomson and Ruby Macomber.

1.20pm – 2.20pm, Vault
Best-selling author Dominic Hoey shares practical tools for thriving outside the traditional system and industry.

2.10pm – 3.10pm, Rangatira
Travel down to the depths of hell with RF Kuang (Katabasis), Nikita Gill (Hekate) and Rachel Smythe (Lore Olympus).

2.30pm – 3.30pm, Loft
We’re not all wired the same. Josh Silver, David A. Robertson and Karina McHardy discuss navigating neurodiversity and mental health, and the fight for better support.

2.50pm – 3.50pm, Vault
Reclaim and queer texts in a Blackout Poetry workshop and kōrero with Hebe Kearney and Nathan Joe.

3.40pm – 4.40pm, Rangatira
Cosy’s out. Weird’s in. Mieko Kawakami, Bora Chung and Laura Borrowdale dig into the darkly speculative and surreal. 

4-5pm, Loft
Poetry, mischief and unforgettable storytelling featuring poet baddies Dominic Hoey, Mr Meaty Boy (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi), Liam Jacobson (Kāi Tahu), Amber Esau (Ngāpuhi, Manase) and Michael Pedersen.

4.20pm – 5.20pm, Vault
Explore how dystopian fiction questions the present and disrupts the status quo with Josh Silver.

5.10pm – 6.10pm, Rangatira | FREE
Hearts soaring, hearts broken and everything in between. Curated by Michael and Matariki Bennett, seven writers tell intimate, passionate, uplifting, devastating stories of love.

5.30pm – 6.30pm, Rangatira
bFM and guests Max Harris, Castor Chacko, and Gabriella Brayne unpack the week’s biggest stories in Aotearoa and tackle the questions that matter to you.