Letters Out Loud 2026

Join us for an enchanting evening as familiar voices bring to life selected letters from the Alexander Turnbull Library collections. Spanning decades of Aotearoa New Zealand’s history, these letters range from the poignant to the humorous, offering a captivating glimpse into surprising moments from the past.

Book your tickets: bit.ly/letters-out-loud-2026

Readers include Dame Juliet Gerrard, Tanea Heke, Tabatha Killick, Tamati Moriarty, David O’Donnell, Karen O’Leary, John Schiff, Vaughan Slinn, Chris Tse, and Jennifer Ward-Lealand.

Bringing history to life through letters

Prepare to be amazed by how these historical texts can resonate with us today. Letters, more than any other written form, reveal the essence of their time, painting vivid portraits of the past.

Well-known personalities will read letters covering a range of themes — from everyday experiences to extraordinary events — offering moments that are by turns moving, surprising, and deeply human.

Letters Out Loud promises to be an evening where history is brought to life through the power of the written word. Doors open at 5:00pm for drinks and nibbles, readings begin at 6:00pm, concluding at approximately 7:15pm.

All ticket proceeds go to support grants for research at the Alexander Turnbull Library. The Friends of the Turnbull Library (FoTL) offer grants to scholars whose research involves the use of the collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

About the speakers

• Dame Juliet Gerrard is a distinguished scientist and former Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor.
• Tanea Heke (MNZM) is an actor and Tumuaki | Director of Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School.
• Tabatha Killick is a Wellington-based actor, working across theatre and screen, and recently starred in the NZIFF-nominated short Gatecrash.
• Tamati Moriarty is a Wellington-based theatre-maker, writer, and performer who co-created the critically acclaimed play Waenga.
• David O’Donnell is a passionate and vibrant teacher of theatre studies and the winner of the 2024 Kiwibank Local Hero Medal.
• Karen O’Leary is a comedian, actor, teacher, and star of the television program Wellington Paranormal.
• John Schiff is a broadcaster and writer with a background in media and storytelling.
• Vaughan Slinn is an actor, film-maker, screen-writer, and researcher.
• Chris Tse is the Poet Laureate of Aotearoa New Zealand and an acclaimed writer and performer.
• Jennifer Ward-Lealand has worked extensively in theatre, film, television, musical and radio as an actor, director and teacher for over 40 years