Michael Bennett: Why do Storytellers tell Stories?

A compulsion, a career, a ripping open of the soul… the desire to create stories can come from many different places. In this session, author, and filmmaker Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Hinerangi) considers the fundamental question of why writers write – or at least why he does.

Michael’s debut book, In Dark Places, the result of his decade-long work on the fight for justice for Teina Pora, won Best Non-Fiction at the Ngaio Marsh Awards. His debut novel, Better the Blood is the only crime thriller to be finalist for the Jann Medlicott Fiction Award at the Ockhams. It won the Ngaio for Best First Novel, making Michael the only author to win for both fiction and non-fiction. His third novel, Carved In Blood was published in April this year. Don’t miss this personal insight into what influences one of New Zealand’s most compelling crime writers to create stories.

ABOUT THE STORY WORLDS FESTIVAL

Story Worlds is a new festival that invites audiences to experience storytelling as a rich, interconnected practice—through the written word, material culture, and oral traditions. Explore the programme, which stretches across Puke Ariki Museum, Libraries, and the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre for four days of sessions that celebrate storytelling in all its forms and honour the ways stories help us make sense of ourselves, each other, and the world we share.

At Puke Ariki accessibility is very important to us. We want everyone in the community to be able to enjoy our museum and libraries. A lift goes from the St Aubyn Street car park to the museum entrance. There are three lifts inside Puke Ariki that will get you to all parts of the building.

This event will be held in the Puke Ariki Library Community Lounge.

Photo credit: Matt Klitscher

Also check out other Arts events in New Plymouth, Literary Art events in New Plymouth, Festivals in New Plymouth.