Presenter

Airini Beautrais is an award-winning Whanganui-based writer, poet and creative whose work explores people, place and the stories that shape our communities. She is the author of four poetry collections, including Flow: Whanganui River Poems, and the acclaimed short story collection Bug Week & Other Stories, which won the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2021 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. A passionate contributor to Aotearoa’s arts landscape, Airini brings a unique perspective that blends creativity, history and a deep connection to place.