Photo caption: Professor Kevin Watson, Amo Matua Toi Tangata | Executive Dean of Arts presenting at the UC hosting session at WORD Chirstchurch.
WORD Christchurch once again lit up the city with stories, ideas and creativity. Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) was proud to once again be a principal partner of the festival.
A highlight was hosting the headline Charlotte Wood: Stone Yard Devotional session with Emily Perkins, the perfect session to follow the announcement of our new Writing major and Writing and Creative Writing minors, taking enrolments for 2026 (subject to Te Pōkai Tara | Universities New Zealand CUAP approval expected November 2025). We also brought together writers, readers, alumni and industry at our networking function, and welcomed hundreds of young people to our Ilam campus for the Inspiring Minds – Secondary Schools Day.
With 36 UC alumni, staff, and writers-in-residence featured in this year’s programme, WORD showed how deeply we are woven into the creative fabric of Ōtautahi Christchurch. Being a principal partner of the festival reflects our commitment to supporting the arts in the city, and creating new opportunities for students and our city’s future.