The Inaugural Peninsula Writers Festival

This May and June, Whitianga will host the inaugural Peninsula Writers Festival, a vibrant celebration of literature, storytelling, and community.

The festival will bring together eight diverse Coromandel Peninsula writers, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with each author at individual author sessions.

The Peninsula Writers Festival is set to kick off with a Gala Opening on Thursday, 29 May 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Mercury Bay Twin Cinemas.

This opening event will feature an introduction to the festival’s lineup with each author speaking to the same topic for seven minutes of “straight talking”.

This festival represents a significant addition to the Coromandel Peninsula’s cultural calendar. We have eight excellent authors on our festival line up this year. We encourage everyone to get behind and support this first festival and secure your tickets early, as seating is limited at our venues.

– Peninsula Writers Festival Committee (Lesley, Anne Marie, Shirley, Mabel, Jane and Christine). 

Following the opening gala, the festival will continue with a series of sessions held at the Thames Coromandel District Council Boardroom every Thursday afternoon from the 5th to the 26th June. Every Thursday there will be two sessions (at 1:30pm and 3pm). Authors will engage in discussions (guided by session interviewers), and the audience will have the  opportunity to ask authors questions.

In addition to the literary events, books by the featured authors will be available for purchase during the festival, providing attendees with the opportunity to delve deeper into the works discussed and even obtain signed copies.

The festival offers a platform for authors to share their stories and for audiences to engage with the written word in new and meaningful ways. And, whether you’re a lifelong bibliophile or simply curious about the world of writing, the Peninsula Writers Festival promises an enriching experience that celebrates the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform!

Tickets for the Gala Opening are available now in person or online at Mercury Twin Cinemas priced at $20

Tickets for the June sessions are available at $15 per session.