KUPU Māori Writers Festival 2025

Update 13 Oct | DAY 2 Sold out! + Resale available + Beware of scammers

We’re overwhelmed by your support — DAY 2 at Te Pākira Marae, Whakarewarewa is now at full capacity. Ngā mihi nui to everyone who’s coming. There are still a few tickets left for DAY 1 (full te reo Māori), the Gala Dinner, and the Pikihuia Awards on Sunday. If you’re keen to join or upgrade your experience, don’t leave it too late — FOMO is real.

Resale tickets are now available on Humanitix. This new feature lets people who can’t attend resell their tickets directly on the platform — same price, no extra fees. It’s a safe and fair way to grab a spot, and helps others get a refund. We do not sell tickets outside Humanitix, and we strongly advise against buying them elsewhere.

Whenever we post “sold out” or “selling fast”, scam bots start appearing on Facebook and Instagram claiming to have tickets. These are fake. Please be cautious. The only official ticketing source is our website and Humanitix. If you’re ever unsure, just ask — we’re happy to confirm what’s legit.

Update 29 Sep | NEW TICKET BUNDLES

You now have 2 new package deals to choose from: KUPU DAY PASS & PIKIHUIA ($75+fees) and KUPU & PIKIHUIA FULL EXPERIENCE ($150+fees). It is up to $40 OFF! Tickets are selling fast.

Update 18 Sep | LIMITED EDITION KUPU x PIKIHUIA PINS

Purchased on the next screen

To mark this year’s KUPU Māori Writers Festival (17–18 October, Rotorua) and the Pikihuia Awards (19 October, Te Puia), we are releasing a special set of enamel pins. Crafted in hard enamel with nickel plating, the pins represent the KUPU hei matau and the MLT feather. They connect by magnet, symbolising the relationship between these two kaupapa.
$10 each, $17 for the set. Available in limited numbers at the festival and awards, or by pre-order. A small way to carry these events with you and acknowledge the writers and stories they celebrate.

Update 16 Sep | FESTIVAL PROGRAMME RELEASED

Hai te marama e tū mai nei, whakarewangia ai te kaupapa o KUPU. He taiopenga mō ngā ringatuhituhi Māori nō ngā moka katoa o te motu, ka tū hai te 17-18 o Oketopa. Ā, hai te whiore o KUPU tū ai te taiopenga o Pikihuia. Koia nei te wā tuatahi kua puta te kaupapa nei ki rohe kē atu. Ko te hunga hoko tīkiti mo ngā kaupapa o KUPU me PIKIHUIA, manaakitia paitia e te iwi me ngā ringawera o Ōhinemutu me Te Whakarewarewa.

Next month, KUPU Māori Writers Festival will bring acclaimed authors and exciting new talent from across the motu to Rotorua on 17–18 October. The festival will be closely followed by the Pikihuia Awards, held at Te Puia on Sunday 19 October for the first time in their history. Those who buy a ticket for these Awards, which celebrate emerging Māori authors, will enjoy a delicious lunch and entertainment from performers on the Sunday.

Please find the full programme here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0640/6815/7558/files/LANDSCAPE_PROGRAMME_A3_420_x_297_mm.png?v=1757841933

Update 14 Sep | GALA DINNER TICKETS RELEASED
Nau mai haere mai, join us at this year’s KUPU gala for a night of exciting entertainment and storytelling through kai, music, and poetry.

This year’s event will take place at Te Rau Aroha, Whakarewarewa. Doors open at 6.30pm with a pōhiri by Te Matatini Champions, Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue kicking off formalities at 7.00pm.

Our gala includes kaiwaiata and kaitito, including neosoul artist MOHI, readings from the late Mākereti Papakura by Ngāhuia Te Awekōtuku, special guest Dr Monty Soutar, our patron, Patricia Grace, performance poetry by Matariki Bennett, and ringawera writers, Kasey and Kārena Bird, who will bring their kai to life for all in attendance.

Included in your ticket is the epic entertainment, a hāngi buffet by our Maketū stars Sandbar Catering, a special plate crafted live by Kasey and Kārena, and drinks on us. 🌟🥂

Nau mai whakakao mai ki KUPU 2025.

He taiopenga hai whakahuihui i ngā ringatuhi Māori o te motu, hai whāriki i ō rātou kaupapa tuhituhi, titotito hoki ki te marea.

KUPU Ngā Ringa Tuhituhi

17–18 Whiringānuku 2025 | Ōhinemutu & Whakarewarewa, Rotorua

2025 PIKIHUIA AWARDS

19 Whiringānuku 2025 | Te Puia, Rotorua

Ngā kaituhituhi

Dr Pōia Rewi · Dr Karena Kelly · Hēmi Kelly · Dr Vincent Olsen-Reeder · Hana Merereiha · Dr Hona Black · Dr Taiarahia Black · Tukiterangi Curtis · Dr Atakohu Middleton · Hana Tapiata · Matariki Bennett · Dr Te Haumihiata Mason · Mike McRoberts · Donovan Farnham · Hira Nathan · Dr Hinemoa Elder · Tracy Manukonga · J. P. Pomare · Airana Ngarewa · Karen Te Ō Kahurangi Waaka · Hamish Bennett · Tim Worrall · Ramon Te Wake · Qiane Matata-Sipu · Stacy Gregg · Paula Morris · Ngāhuia Te Awekōtuku · Patricia Grace · Kārena & Kasey Bird · Dr Monty Soutar

Hai ngā rā e haere ake nei whakaputa ai ngā ingoa o ngā mātanga tuhituhi Māori kē atu. Aua atu i te 30 katoa ngā ringatuhi ka tau atu ki KUPU 2025.

Hokona he tīkiti!Kia riro i a koe tētahi koha i a McLeods Booksellers Ltd, arā, he 10% te tangohanga i te utu mo ngā pukapuka ka hokona atu hai te Oketopa. Katoa ngā pukapuka he mea tārai e ngā ringatuhi o KUPU 2025.

Ka mutu, he kaupapa Māori, nōreira ka whāngaihia katoatia koutou ki roto o Whakatūria. He kai timotimo, he kapu tī, he kapu kawhe hoki mā te katoa.

Haere mai ki KUPU
www.kupu.org.nz

Welcome, come together for KUPU 2025.

A festival bringing together Māori writers from across the country, to lay down their stories and compositions before the people.

KUPU Māori Writers Festival
17–18 October 2025 | Ōhinemutu & Whakarewarewa, Rotorua

2025 PIKIHUIA AWARDS
19 October 2025 | Te Puia, Rotorua

Writers

Dr Pōia Rewi · Dr Karena Kelly · Hēmi Kelly · Dr Vincent Olsen-Reeder · Hana Merereiha · Dr Hona Black · Dr Taiarahia Black · Tukiterangi Curtis · Dr Atakohu Middleton · Hana Tapiata · Matariki Bennett · Dr Te Haumihiata Mason · Mike McRoberts · Donovan Farnham · Hira Nathan · Dr Hinemoa Elder · Tracy Manukonga · J. P. Pomare · Airana Ngarewa · Karen Te Ō Kahurangi Waaka · Hamish Bennett · Tim Worrall · Ramon Te Wake · Qiane Matata-Sipu · Stacy Gregg · Paula Morris · Ngāhuia Te Awekōtuku · Patricia Grace · Kārena & Kasey Bird · Dr Monty Soutar

Stay tuned for more writers. A total of 30 authors will be announced in the coming days.

Tickets include a 10% discount on all festival books from McLeods Booksellers Ltd.

Finally, as Māori kaupapa, you will all be welcomed into Whakatūria. There will be food, snacks, tea and coffee available.

www.kupu.org.nz