Streetside: Britomart returns to Takutai Square for another riotous evening

First of all, it's simple. There is no need to make plans for Streetside, just turn up in Takutai Square at 6pm on Friday 9 May, grab a free Seedlip cocktail from the Britomart Cocktail Cart, and choose which of the many quickfire readings, performances and other entertainment you're going to attend. Here's a rundown of what's happening to get you ahead of the curve.

BOOK FIGHT CLUB

Back by popular demand, former WWF wrestling superstar El Jaguar will transform Takutai Square into a giant literary wrestling ring. Eight randomly selected books enter the Literati ThunderDome… and only one leaves. In this hilarious street performance, he brings together his two deepest loves:  books and fights.

6.15-6.45pm Round One
7.15-7.45pm Round Two
 
Takutai Square

TOIKUPU HEI KAPO WHETŪ | POETRY TO CATCH THE STARS

Slam Champion Matariki Bennett brings together the city's top spoken word artists and turns Rocketman into a dynamic beat poetry lounge for the evening. Each performer's work has taken them to new heights, and each are poised to perform 3 outstanding pieces, with DJ Jack Glacier providing the beats between, MC'd by Ken Arkind.

6:10 - 6:20pm Stevie Davis-Tana
6:20 - 6:30pm Lex Shoemark
6:30 - 6:40pm Ngaio Simmons
6:40 - 6:50pm Jai Selkirk
6:50 - 7:00pm Arihia Hall
7:00 - 7:10pm Matilda Clack
7:10 - 7:20pm Jayden Osbourne
7:20 - 7:30pm Manaia Tuwhare-Hoani
7:30 - 7:40pm Matariki Bennett
7:40 - 7:50pm Talia Stanley

Rocketman, 10 Roukai Lane

NAVIGATING WĀHINETANGA

Wahine storytellers, equipped and empowered, are a force to be reckoned with. Join facilitators Hariata Makiha, Tamzin Naicker and Te Kowhai Huia from Te Karanga Charitable Trust Wahine Navigators in this dynamic session that weaves together talanoa, performance and prompts. Stay for as little or as long as you like!

6.00-6.45pm Wananga/Talanoa
6.45-7.15pm Creative prompts for poems, songs or raps
7.15-8pm Performances and Open Mic

Britomart Central Valet Parking
Cnr Gore and Tyler Streets (facing Takutai Square)

TYPEWRITER POETS AND THE GREAT POETRY EXCHANGE

Give our street typewriter poets a word, prompt or mood, and take away a personalised poem written just for you! Or grab a pen and add your own to the great poetry exchange. 

Atrium on Takutai 

NEW POETS ON THE BLOCK

What better way to start STREETSIDE than with the freshest voices on the block? Join Anne Kennedy  in conversation with AUP New Poets 11: J.A. Vili, Xiaole Zhan, and Margo Montes de Oca as they discuss their debut collections and what it means to be ‘fresh’ in 2025. Stay to hear readings from each poet. Later, join fresh Aporo Press authors Laura Vincent and Sloane Hong as they discuss the synergies in their new works: Hoods Landing and Marrow & Other Stories. Stay to hear readings from each writer. Then, Khadro Mohamed talks to Ruby Macomber about her first novel, Before the Winter Ends. 

6.00-6.20pm Introductions 
6.20-6.30pm Reading – J.A. Vili
6.30-6.40pm Reading – Xiaole Zhan
6.40-6.50pm Reading – Margo Montes de Oca
6.50-7.25pm Laura Vincent and Sloane Hong
7.30-8.00pm Khadro Mohamed and Ruby Macomber

Daily Bread Britomart

STORIES START HERE

Using the AWF25 theme of ‘Stories Start Here’ as their prompt, four great writers line up to tell us how their books began, and their own plot twists that brought them to their finished work. Come to the readings and stay for the pop-up bookstore by Lamplight Books in the Allbirds & friends store!

6:00 - 6:15pm Rachel Paris
6:30 - 6:45pm Gavin Strawhan
7:00 - 7:15pm Antonia Murphy
7:30 - 7:45pm Dominic Hoey

Allbirds & friends, Atrium on Takutai

WHERE IS THE LOVE?

Creating within a community can be both tender and radical. Join zine-maker, writer and activist Taualofa Totua in a gentle zine-making workshop. Together, you’ll explore the softness that can be found in the cityscapes. Drop in throughout the evening to take part. All materials provided.

Hayman Kronfeld Building lobby