Chris Tse joins Auckland Writers Festival board as observer

The former New Zealand Poet Laureate will bring a working writer's view to the festival trust's board discussions.

By The Book Source21 September 20261 minute read

Former New Zealand Poet Laureate Chris Tse has been appointed an observer on the board of trustees of Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki, the festival announced in September.

The festival trust said the appointment reflects its aim of having writers represented at every level of the organisation. As an observer, Tse will offer the view of a practising writer when the board meets to discuss the festival's direction.

Tse was the country's 13th Poet Laureate, holding the role from 2022 until August 2025. His poetry collections include How to be Dead in a Year of Snakes, HE'S SO MASC, Super Model Minority and Dance-Floor Romance. He was also a guest curator for the festival in 2023.

Board chair Charlotte McLoughlin said Tse brings experience in writing and editing, governance skills and a good knowledge of the Aotearoa literary community. "Writers are at the heart of everything the Festival does," she said. Tse said he was looking forward to taking part in conversations about how the festival keeps developing.

The 2027 Auckland Writers Festival will run from 11 to 16 May, with the pre-festival event STREETSIDE: BRITOMART on Friday 7 May.

Original source: Coalition for Books ↗

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