Verb Wellington unveils trio of major literary events for autumn
Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Verb Wellington has announced a trio of major literary events for April and May, bringing three acclaimed writers to the capital for conversations spanning politics, fantasy and contemporary fiction.
The series opens with an in‑conversation event featuring Dame Jacinda Ardern, who will discuss her bestselling memoir A Different Kind of Power with writer Emily Perkins on April 15 at Wellington’s Embassy Theatre.
The book, shortlisted for an Ockham New Zealand Book Award and the biggest‑selling locally published title of the year, traces Ardern’s childhood, her path to becoming New Zealand’s youngest female prime minister, her experience as only the second world leader to give birth while in office, and the extraordinary events that shaped her leadership. Organisers say the wide‑ranging discussion will explore “leadership shaped by compassion and courage”.
On May 19, award‑winning novelist RF Kuang joins Brannavan Gnanalingam at the Student Union Building on Kelburn Pde in Wellington to discuss her new novel Katabasis. Kuang, the author of Yellowface and Babel, has published six bestselling books in seven years and is celebrated for her sharp satire, bold world‑building and complex characters.
Her latest work sits firmly in the dark‑academia‑meets‑fantasy genre, following two Cambridge graduate rivals who descend into hell in search of their professor. Verb describes the event as magnetic for fiction and fantasy fans.
The final event in the autumn series welcomes Edinburgh Makar (Poet Laureate) Michael Pedersen to Wellington’s Meow on May 13. Pedersen will discuss his debut novel Muckle Flugga, which has earned rave reviews, multiple award nominations and is already being adapted for the stage. Known for his lyrical, absorbing prose, Pedersen will speak with Harry Ricketts about the novel’s exploration of family, love, grief and human connection, delivered with his trademark humour and tenderness.
Tickets: verbwellington.nz