The Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival is a biennial literary festival held in Ōtepoti Dunedin. It brings writers and readers together for a weekend of conversation, ideas and community, with a programme that spans ages, genres, topics and audiences. We are a Te Tiriti-led organisation that places manaaki at the heart of everything we do. We aim to celebrate Ōtepoti as a UNESCO City of Literature, share fresh ideas and stories, and inspire a thriving community of readers and writers. These things are at the heart of everything we do, shaping our programming and how we work.
The Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival is governed by a voluntary trust. We are responsible for the stewardship of the festival, upholding and strengthening its kaupapa and vision. Trustees provide strategic direction, oversee the organisation’s finances and fundraising, manage contractors and support the operational work of festival programming and production.
We are looking for new trustees and would love to hear from you if you’re interested in joining our team. Ideally, you will:
understand the festival kaupapa, values and direction
be committed to working in a Te Tiriti-led way
have a good knowledge of Aotearoa and international literature and an interest in programming that inspires, nurtures and connects our communities
have strengths in finance, HR and/or fundraising
be well connected, locally and nationally
have time to contribute to the work of the Board
be constructive, creative and easy to work with
have the capacity to stick around and the potential to step into new roles.
We understand that a mix of skill sets is important and each person will have strengths in different areas, so please don’t be shy about applying if you can’t tick every box.
To find out more about the festival, get a copy of the role description or to ask any questions, please contact chair@dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz.
If you would like to apply, please fill out the form at: https://forms.gle/h8vBEmj9j7MLU6Pk9
Please note that the application form includes a declaration about any use of AI in the preparation of your application. You will need to submit a CV and the names of two referees.
Applications close Friday 27 November 2026.
Our mission is to curate a literary festival in Ōtepoti Dunedin that celebrates and shares the literature of our diverse local, national, and international communities.