# Event Details - **Event Name**: Kaituhi Kōrerorero | with authors Witi Ihimaera Smiler and Eugene Bingham - **Event Start and End Date**: Tue, 25 Aug, 2026 at 06:30 pm – Tue, 25 Aug, 2026 at 07:30 pm - **Event Description**: Acclaimed Māori writers Witi Ihimaera Smiler and Eugene Bingham reunite to interview each other about their most recently published works.About this EventFREE tickets are available! Get yours now!Join us for an evening of unmissable kōrero between two exceptional Māori writers and thinkers, internationally acclaimed author Witi Ihimaera Smiler (Te Whānau-a-Kai, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata and Ngāti Porou) and award-winning journalist and author Eugene Bingham (Pākehā, Ngāpuhi).Reuniting two of the creators of RNZ podcast Witi Underwater, hear Witi and Eugene interview each other about their most recently published works - Witi's new memoir, Te Kaikaukau | The Swimmer and Eugene's fascinating history of Ngāpuhi chief, Te Pahi, The Chief and the Empire. We're looking forward to a revealing discussion on documenting historical and contemporary experiences of Māori from a personal perspective and reclaiming their reo as a pathway to home.About the books:Te Kaikaukau | The swimmer - I te Ao o te Reo by Witi Ihimaera SmilerAt 80, Witi Ihimaera immersed himself in te reo Māori for a year. This memoir traces his journey of learning, identity and connection through language, guided by whānau, teachers, and wairua.The Chief and the Empire: The incredible story of Te Pahi, the Māori trailblazer betrayed by the Crown by Eugene BinghamThe Chief and the Empire tells the true story of Te Pahi, a pioneering Māori leader whose curiosity built alliances and saved lives, but led to tragedy, revealing early Māori–Pākehā encounters and injustice.About the authors:Witi Ihimaera Smiler DCNZM, QSM, was born in Gisborne and is of Te Whānau-a-Kai, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata and Ngāti Porou descent with connections to Tūhoe, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāi Tāmanuhiri. Diplomat, professor and one of Aotearoa’s most distinguished living writers, his many books include Pounamu, Pounamu (1972), The Matriarch (1986) and The Whale Rider (1987), made into a hugely successful film in 2002 and also translated into te reo Māori by Tīmoti Kāretu. He has received numerous awards, including the Wattie Book of the Year, the Montana Book Award and a Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement. In 2004 he became a Distinguished Companion of the Order of New Zealand and in 2017 France made him Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He is, today, recognised as one of the world’s leading contemporary indigenous authors and thinkers. He lives in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.In a career spanning 35 years, Eugene Bingham (Pākehā, Ngāpuhi) has won multiple awards as one of Aotearoa's most respected investigative journalists, reporting and producing news and current affairs across newspapers, television, digital and podcast platforms. Memorable projects include the Teina Pora miscarriage of justice case, and investigative documentaries The Valley, Infinite Evil and Life + Limb. He co-produced the internationally acclaimed podcast The Commune as well as other award-winning podcasts Witi Underwater, True Story and The District. He's a director of Te Pūrongo Productions with long-time collaborator Adam Dudding and executive producer of Mata Reports. Since 2021, he's been learning te reo Māori, mostly at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, with the goal of reintroducing the language to his whānau. Eugene lives in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland with his wife, journalist Suzanne McFadden, their children and mokopuna.Book signing and sales at the event:Borrow a Bestie or buy your own copy on the night at The Warehouse Takaanini, a two-minute walk from the event. The Warehouse will be open before and after the event until 10pm, with plenty of books available from both authors!Witi and Eugene are looking forward to meeting everyone after the event - come up to get a book signed or just to say kia ora.This event is presented by Auckland Council Libraries as part of We Read Auckland / Ka Pānui Tātou i Tāmaki Makaurau. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/auckland/kaituhi-kōrerorero-with-authors-witi-ihimaera-smiler-and-eugene-bingham/100001993101464132 - **Event Categories**: art, literary-art, meetups, entertainment - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - door_time: 2026-08-25T06:00:00Z - Duration: 1 hour - Location: Te Paataka Koorero o Takaanini | Takaanini Library and Community Hub - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: NZD ## Event venue details - **city**: Auckland - **state**: AU - **country**: New Zealand - **location**: Te Paataka Koorero o Takaanini | Takaanini Library and Community Hub - **lat**: -37.04636230000001 - **long**: 174.9309186 - **full address**: Te Paataka Koorero o Takaanini | Takaanini Library and Community Hub, 30 Walters Road, Auckland, New Zealand ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Kaituhi Kōrerorero | with authors Witi Ihimaera Smiler and Eugene Bingham - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/838e7e9210ba0659d689148c96af695eef023e13d4af556718576b220063d5f0-rimg-w1200-h600-dc0274bd-gmir.jpg?v=1784475084 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Kaituhi Kōrerorero | with authors Witi Ihimaera Smiler and Eugene Bingham being held? - **A:** Kaituhi Kōrerorero | with authors Witi Ihimaera Smiler and Eugene Bingham takes place on Tue, 25 Aug, 2026 at 06:30 pm to Tue, 25 Aug, 2026 at 07:30 pm at Te Paataka Koorero o Takaanini | Takaanini Library and Community Hub, 30 Walters Road, Auckland, New Zealand. - **Q**: Who is organizing Kaituhi Kōrerorero | with authors Witi Ihimaera Smiler and Eugene Bingham? - **A:** Kaituhi Kōrerorero | with authors Witi Ihimaera Smiler and Eugene Bingham is organized by Auckland Libraries. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Kaituhi Kōrerorero | with authors Witi Ihimaera Smiler and Eugene Bingham is ideal for art lovers, collectors, creatives, and anyone inspired by visual arts, installations, and exhibitions. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Auckland, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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