Writers Write : Actors Read is back with two spectacular short stories read by two incredible actors. Don’t miss the chance to hear Anatonio Te Maioha read A Game of Cards by Witi Ihimaera, and Shane Cortese read The Passenger by John Prins at The Button Factory on Wednesday 5th August at 7pm.
A Game of Cards is very special as it’s the first story from Witi Ihimaera’s very first short story collection, Pounamu Pounamu, published in 1972, celebrated now as the first collection published by a Māori writer. Matua Witi Ihimaera (Te Whānau-a-Kai, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou) is now one of our most influential and celebrated writers, the author of numerous novels, collections, memoirs and libretto’s, and his most recent memoir is Te Kaikaukau / The Swimmer capturing his journey of personal rediscovery as he immersed himself in te reo Māori.
Actor Anatonio Te Maioha worked with Jim Moriarty in Te Rākau Hua o Te Waotapu, and has appeared on stage at Centrepoint Theatre, Taki Rua, Auckland Theatre Company, Te Pou and Pop Up Globe. His many screen credits include Hercules, Xena, Mataku, 5 years on Māori Television, Spartacus, Zoolander 2, Shortland St. Waru, Rings of Power, Cowboy Bebop, Testament, Sweet-tooth, The Convert, Chief of War, Wrecking Crew and Bust Up.
John Prins recently won the 2026 Ockham NZ Book Award for Debut Fiction with his stunning collection Pastoral Care, praised for its sharply witty, tender and strikingly clear-eyed contemporary contribution to Aotearoa’s literary canon.
Shane Cortese is one of Aotearoa’s most recognisable performers with a multitude of screen credits to his name, starring in some of our most popular dramas including, Outrageous Fortune, Nothing Trivial, Shortland Street, The Almighty Johnsons, Burying Brian, Legend of the Seekers, and Brokenwood Mysteries.
Writers Write : Actors Read is a monthly event curated by Bridget van der Zijpp. The readings are recorded for a podcast and the 2025 season of twelve stories are available to listen to on any podcast platform or here.
Thank you to supporters The Button Factory, The Women’s Bookshop, who will have books available on the night, and Creative New Zealand.
Wednesday 5th August at 7.00pm Tickets: $18 (+ fees)
