An evening of criminally good conversation
If you love escaping into stories filled with suspense, dark motives, and sharp twists, don’t miss this special event hosted by the Ngaio Marsh Awards in association with Wellington City Libraries.
Hosted at Karori Library | Te Māhanga Library on Thursday 1 May it promises to be an evening of literary intrigue, as five award-winning local authors share how they craft memorable characters and page-turning storylines, and infuse their tales with deep insights into people and society.
This free panel event brings together some of Aotearoa’s most celebrated storytellers — spanning novels, short stories, screenwriting, and non-fiction. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at their writing lives, hear how they build tension and drama, and enjoy wide-ranging conversation sure to inspire both readers and writers alike.
Event details:
When: Thursday 1 May 2025
Where: Karori Library | Te Māhanga Library
Time: 6:00 PM
Cost: Free
This event is expected to be very popular, and seating will be on a first come, first served basis.
Featured authors:
Brannavan Gnanalingam – Wellington novelist, freelance writer, and 2021 Ngaio Marsh Award winner. His political satire The Life and Opinions of Kartik Popat, published in 2024, follows eight acclaimed novels, including the powerful Sprigs.
Claire Baylis – Legal researcher and 2024 Ngaio Marsh Award winner for Best First Novel. Dice, her debut courtroom drama, was developed during her PhD and draws on her background in legal academia and jury research.
Dame Fiona Kidman – A literary icon and author of more than 30 books across fiction, poetry, and memoir. Her novel This Mortal Boy, inspired by one of New Zealand’s last executions, won both the Ngaio Marsh Award and the Acorn Prize for Fiction.
Tina Makereti – Novelist, essayist, and winner of the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Pacific). Her latest novel, The Mires, continues her exploration of identity, history, and belonging. Her work has twice won the Ngā Kupu Ora Māori Book Award and been longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award.
David White – Filmmaker and co-creator of the 2023 TV drama Far North, based on a real-life drug bust. He also co-authored the accompanying non-fiction book and has directed multiple award-winning film and documentary projects.
Whether you're a seasoned crime fiction fan or simply curious about the craft of storytelling, this event promises compelling conversation, rich insights, and a little literary mischief. Some of these stories are inspired by real events — proving that sometimes, truth really is stranger (and darker) than fiction.
Capital Crimes: Karori Mystery in the Library author talk 1May