An evening with Randell Cottage writers — Part of Randell Cottage writer-in-residence events series
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Current Randell Cottage writer essa may ranapiri (Ngaati Raukawa, Ngaati Puukeko, Te Arawa, Clan Gunn) shares their first novel, ‘Te Rama Tuna | Eeling by Torchlight’ with trustee Francis Cooke. The evening also features two commissioned videos of former residents Katia Astafieff and Saraid de Silva.
Join us at the Library or online. Register for a Zoom link — https://dia-nz.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XXIAYTznTh6Cs0x0MHNI4Q
Inside the writer’s cottage
Join us to hear current resident essa may ranapiri in conversation with Randell Cottage trustee Francis Cooke. essa's current project is their first novel, ‘Te Rama Tuna | Eeling by Torchlight’, which follows the coming of age of two young trans Māori. They and their family have been living in Randell Cottage since July 2026.
Randell Cottage in Thorndon regularly hosts outstanding writers who advance their work during their residency.
Videos from former residents
A representative of the French Embassy will present the latest series of short videos of Randell Cottage residents. These videos form part of Randell Cottage’s recorded oral history, designed to capture the voices, experiences and interests of writers during their residencies.
The first features French botanist and travel writer Katia Astafieff, who stayed at Randell Cottage during the first half of 2026. The second introduces the most recent New Zealand writer in residence, Saraid de Silva. Of Sri Lankan and Pākehā heritage, Saraid spent her residency finalising her much-awaited second novel following ‘Amma’.
A koha (suggest $5 pp) would be appreciated. Please bring cash for book raffles.
All welcome.
RSVP to let us know you are coming
Light refreshments will be served from 5.15pm before the event.
RSVP before 23 November to [email protected]
Randell Cottage writers’ residency
Wellington's historic Randell Cottage has hosted New Zealand and French writers since 2001. The Randell Cottage Writers Trust is supported by Creative New Zealand, the New Zealand-France Friendship Fund/Arts Foundation of New Zealand and the Wellington City Council. It works in close partnership with the Embassy of France.
Randell Cottage Writers Trust: https://www.randellcottage.co.nz/
About the speaker
essa may ranapiri (Ngaati Raukawa, Ngaati Puukeko, Te Arawa, Clan Gunn) is a poet, writer and academic from Kirikiriroa Hamilton. They have published poetry, reviews and essays over the past eight years of working as a writer, most notably their two poetry collections, ransack (2019) and ECHIDNA (2022), and a forthcoming third collection, Puke, to be published in November 2026.
Image: essa may ranapiri, Katia Astafieff and Saraid de Silva. Courtesy of Randell Cottage.
Join us at the Library or online. Register for a Zoom link — https://dia-nz.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XXIAYTznTh6Cs0x0MHNI4Q
Inside the writer’s cottage
Join us to hear current resident essa may ranapiri in conversation with Randell Cottage trustee Francis Cooke. essa's current project is their first novel, ‘Te Rama Tuna | Eeling by Torchlight’, which follows the coming of age of two young trans Māori. They and their family have been living in Randell Cottage since July 2026.
Randell Cottage in Thorndon regularly hosts outstanding writers who advance their work during their residency.
Videos from former residents
A representative of the French Embassy will present the latest series of short videos of Randell Cottage residents. These videos form part of Randell Cottage’s recorded oral history, designed to capture the voices, experiences and interests of writers during their residencies.
The first features French botanist and travel writer Katia Astafieff, who stayed at Randell Cottage during the first half of 2026. The second introduces the most recent New Zealand writer in residence, Saraid de Silva. Of Sri Lankan and Pākehā heritage, Saraid spent her residency finalising her much-awaited second novel following ‘Amma’.
A koha (suggest $5 pp) would be appreciated. Please bring cash for book raffles.
All welcome.
RSVP to let us know you are coming
Light refreshments will be served from 5.15pm before the event.
RSVP before 23 November to [email protected]
Randell Cottage writers’ residency
Wellington's historic Randell Cottage has hosted New Zealand and French writers since 2001. The Randell Cottage Writers Trust is supported by Creative New Zealand, the New Zealand-France Friendship Fund/Arts Foundation of New Zealand and the Wellington City Council. It works in close partnership with the Embassy of France.
Randell Cottage Writers Trust: https://www.randellcottage.co.nz/
About the speaker
essa may ranapiri (Ngaati Raukawa, Ngaati Puukeko, Te Arawa, Clan Gunn) is a poet, writer and academic from Kirikiriroa Hamilton. They have published poetry, reviews and essays over the past eight years of working as a writer, most notably their two poetry collections, ransack (2019) and ECHIDNA (2022), and a forthcoming third collection, Puke, to be published in November 2026.
Image: essa may ranapiri, Katia Astafieff and Saraid de Silva. Courtesy of Randell Cottage.
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Where is it happening?
Corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon, Wellington, New Zealand 6011, New Zealand
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherNational Library of New Zealand
