Authors share their stories at Marlborough Book Festival

“It doesn’t matter what you do in your life, as long as you do it well.” That advice came from Witi Ihimaera Smiler, acclaimed author of The Whale Rider and one of the 17 guest writers who attended the Marlborough Book Festival 2026 this past weekend.

“Just value the fact that you’re doing something and that it will assist you with your knowledge of where to go next,” he continued, speaking with Marlborough Weekly on Sunday.

A session with Witi capped off the festival, which Marlborough Readers & Writers Charitable Trust has been hosting for 12 years. From Friday through Sunday, hundreds of people entered Whitehaven Theatre for a chance at listening to and speaking with inspiring authors.

Over five decades, Witi has contributed more than 40 books to New Zealand literature, including Pounamu Pounamu, Tangi, and his latest book, Te Kaikaukau | The Swimmer: I te Ao o te Reo, his memoir of attending an immersion te reo Māori class at the age of 80.

Celebrated literary figures – also including Catherine Chidgey, Elizabeth Knox, Ingrid Horrocks and Noelle McCarthy – presented a total of 20 sessions over three days. Two authors, Rachel Clare and Dominic Hoey, also held workshops at Blenheim library branch.

“Blenheim might [have] a small festival, but it’s huge in terms of its heart,” Witi observed. “There are people who love books everywhere” – which Marlborough showed with attendees queuing to have their newly purchased books signed by the authors.

On the opening night of the festival, six of the guest writers shared accounts relevant to this year’s theme: “Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu – Although it is small, it is precious”. They spoke about how they value their small beginnings, ideas or moments, and the ways in which they were imperative to some of their published works.

Witi summed up his experience at the event by saying, “I was thrilled to be here, and I was thrilled to speak to people.”