The Featherston Booktown Podcast

2017-2023 was one of the most momentous and unpredictable periods in our country's history - between Covid, the Christchurch terrorist attack, Jacindamania, He Puapua, the National Party's implosion, an unprecedented MMP victory, and more. How have those years shaped us? 

Moderated by Toby Manhire (The Spinoff), a panel comprising former National Party Minister Chris Finlayson, Former Speaker of the House Sir Trevor Mallard and political journalists Te Aniwa Hurihanganui (TVNZ) (Te Arawa, Rangitāne, Ngāti Porou) and Henry Cooke (Stuff) discussed how where we've been informs where we're going.

This episode was recorded at the 2026 Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival.
https://www.booktown.org.nz/

Triplets, amusement parks, and controversial scientists are at the heart of two Aotearoa novels longlisted for the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Just one of these overlapping elements would have been an amazing coincidence, but all three is nothing short of astonishing. Mary McCallum talked to Catherine Chidgey and Tracy Farr about The Book of Guilt and Wonderland and attempted to unearth what feeds the fertile imaginations that dream up such wonders. 
Recorded at the 2026 Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival. 
https://www.booktown.org.nz/

Visionary psychological coach Gilbert Enoka changed the way the All Blacks played. Having the highest winning record of any professional sports team in history is only possible because they leave nothing to chance. Their winning mindset and resilience are as important as their training, and Gilbert Enoka was their secret weapon. Bob Francis joined Gilbert on the couch to discuss his new book, Become Unstoppable, reflect on his unparalleled career, and distil his essential lessons so that we can all learn to win the All Blacks way.
This episode was recorded at the 2026 Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival.
https://www.booktown.org.nz/

A small book called Imagining Decolonisation has been a notable bestseller in New Zealand. People want to know more about decolonisation and colonisation, but often don’t know where to start. Our expert panel came together for a fascinating kōrero on this topic: Papawai Marae Kaumātua Paora Ammunson (Ngāti Moe, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne, Te Arawa); writer and Te Tiriti o Waitangi policy advisor Tῑhema Baker (Raukawa te Au ki te Tonga, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti ToaRangatira); writer, advocate and researcher Tina Ngata (Ngāti Porou); award-winning Irish author, playwright, journalist and farmer John Connell; and celebrated historian and author James Belich. John Campbell was the moderator.
Recorded at the 2025 Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival.
https://www.booktown.org.nz/

One of New Zealand’s biggest constitutional issues is how state law and tikanga Māori intersect. Join tikanga expert and lawyer Te Raumawhitu Kupenga as he unpacks this with a distinguished panel: former High Court Judge, Māori Land Court Chief Judge and longtime Waitangi Tribunal Chair Tā Edward Taihakurei Durie; Māori rights champion, Treaty expert and lawyer Annette Sykes; Treaty and public law expert and barrister Natalie Coates; and lawyer, mana whenua and Papawai Marae chair Herewini Ammunson).

Recorded at the 2025 Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival.
https://www.booktown.org.nz/