Wāhine Inside Tāmaki Makaurau Book Launch

Experience storytelling that empowers, challenges, and connects communities while celebrating youth-led creative expression and indigenous agency in Aotearoa.

Wāhine Inside is a sharp, stunning reminder of the power and fierceness of wāhine; the stories they weave throughout their lives and the passion and purpose through which expression builds connection.
Te Kāhui Creative Writing is excited to launch our latest anthology, Wāhine Inside, crafted with 22 writers who shared their powerful prose, poetry and art through our remote booklets and in-person creative writing programmes at Christchurch Women’s Pr*son.
Join us at Ellen Melville Centre on Friday, March 27th at 7 pm to celebrate this incredible testament to vulnerability, growth and resilience. Doors open at 6:30. Light refreshments and food will be available.
This event is 16+ and contains sensitive themes related to incarceration, justice, and personal experiences.

When you RSVP, you'll have the option to pre-order a copy of your book for pickup on the night! Otherwise, limited copies will also be available for purchase at the launch. Physical copies (including postage) and digital copies are also available on our website, Te Kāhui Creative Writing. To learn more about our kaupapa, visit our page here.

The creation of this pukapuka was guided by our editorial advisor Deborah Smith, designed by Kaan Hiini and published by 5ever books. Wāhine Inside is made with the support of CNZ.

The pukapuka was first launched at Christchurch Women’s Pr*son in December 2025, where several contributors read out their pieces.

We are still locating a few contributing writers. If you are a contributing writer, please contact us directly so we can send you your contributor copies.

Accessibility is important to our kaupapa. Ellen Melville Centre has wheelchair access. When you RSVP, we invite you to let us know if there may be other support we can provide regarding access needs.
If you would like a copy of the pukapuka and the cost is a barrier, please reach out to [email protected].

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