The Featherston Booktown Podcast

Colonisation and Decolonisation: Facing Them Head On

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/ [https://www.booktown.org.nz/]

Ko Aotearoa Tēnei: How Will The Justice System Make Use Of Tikanga Māori?

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/ [https://www.booktown.org.nz/]

Invasion! The Waikato War: The Featherston Booktown NZ War History series

Vincent O’Malley writes that war in the Waikato between July 1863 and April 1864 ‘goes to the very core of who we are as a nation’. The crippling legacy was loss of life, economic and cultural deprivation, land confiscation and over 150 years of ignored hurt and anguish. This kōrero – featuring historians and academics Tom Roa (Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto), Joanna Kidman (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa), James Belich, Vincent O’Malley and moderator Peter Biggs – shared perspectives on the Waikato War and the way its consequences continue today. The discussion was opened & closed by Paora Ammunson. Recorded at the 2025 Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival. https://www.booktown.org.nz/ [https://www.booktown.org.nz/]

Norwegian Wood: Lars Mytting Talks Wood Chopping, Stacking and Drying

Norwegian author Lars Mytting’s book Norwegian Wood – the definitive woodcutter’s bible to preparing firewood – spread like wildfire around the world. No wonder, when our relationship with fire is ancient and universal and the age-old rituals around chopping and stacking wood continue to be a part of 21st-century life. Lars Mytting was in conversation with John Campbell. Recorded at the 2025 Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival. Thanks to the Nordic Council of Ministers and Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki. https://www.booktown.org.nz/ [https://www.booktown.org.nz/]

Ali Mau: No Words For This

Today’s episode was recorded at a special event at The Royal Hotel in Featherston in November 2025, where journalist and author Ali Mau was in conversation with fellow journalist Melody Thomas.  It was a fascinating discussion that was equal parts provocative, honest, and amusing. Ali’s memoir, No Words for This, is powerful, raw and beautifully written. Many thanks to our partners Hedley’s Books & Harper Collins Publishers. Please note that this episode contains depictions of abuse and sexual assault. https://www.booktown.org.nz/ [https://www.booktown.org.nz/]