Witi Ihimaera Smiler and Shehan Karunatilaka: Nelson Arts Festival
We’re thrilled to announce this early release of two celebrated authors for Nelson Arts Festival 2026 , with the full programme to be revealed on 19 August 2026.
Beloved New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera Smiler and Booker Prize-winning Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka will take to the stage for two special events that promise insight, inspiration and unforgettable storytelling.
Witi Ihimaera Smiler will appear in The Swimmer & The Whales at lunchtime on Friday 23 October, sharing the stories behind three new books released this year.
His memoir Te Kaikaukau | The Swimmer explores how studying te reo Māori helped him reclaim his voice, history and whakapapa. He will also discuss his highly anticipated young adult novel The Star Path of the Whales: A Return to the Realm of The Whale Rider, which revisits the world of the beloved classic, as well as Ariā and the Monster Island, the latest book in his Astromancer children’s series.
On the evening of Friday 23 October, Towards the Truth will feature Shehan Karunatilaka reflecting on his remarkable literary journey since winning the 2022 Booker Prize for The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.
Praised around the world for its originality and imagination, the novel follows photographer Maali Almeida as he navigates a strange and crowded afterlife while attempting to uncover the truth behind his own murder. Blending satire, mystery and the supernatural, the story explores questions of power, truth and humanity that continue to resonate today.
Whether you’re an avid reader, aspiring writer or simply curious about the stories that shape our world, these are rare opportunities to hear from two of the most celebrated voices in contemporary literature.
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