Kia ora folks! We are so incredibly excited to announce that the hotly-anticipated Beyond the Page festival is returning this July!
During the school holidays, from the 9th to the 24th of July, libraries across the Wellington region are hosting over 100 awesome, FREE events for tamariki and their whānau, from puppetry, poetry, and costume design experiences through to VR experiences, nature walks, sculpting, and stop motion animation workshops!
There’s something on every day of the holidays, so join us to experience the ‘other’ side of libraries — the side that fizzes and pops, is creative, exciting, and adventurous!
Beyond the Page is a collaboration between Wellington City Libraries, Hutt City Libraries, Upper Hutt City Libraries, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries, and Masterton District Library. You can view the full event calendar and find out more about the festival and our wonderful presenters on the Beyond the Page website, or you can follow the festival on Facebook for regular updates.
Read on to find out about some of the excellent events happening in Wellington City Libraries branches:
Vivita X Beyond the Page: Graphic Novel Series
We’re partnering with Wellington innovation studio VIVITA Aotearoa to bring you the Graphic Novel Series — a group of three workshops focussed on bringing the characters and story of a graphic novel to life, from sculpture and miniatures through to cardboard costumes!
These events are suitable for tamariki aged 9-15, and registrations are required.
- Cardboard Costumes | Miramar Library | Saturday 9 July, 10am – 12pm (Register here)
- Serious Sculpting | Te Awe Library | Sunday 10 July, 10am – 12pm (Register here)
- Miniature Modelling | Johnsonville Library | Sunday 17 July, 10am – 12pm (Register here)
Toro Pikopiko Tales
Have you ever wanted to become a puppeteer? Join the Toro Pikopiko Tales Roadshow to explore an interactive gallery of puppets – from traditionally carved kare-tao puppets, through to puppets inspired by Māori rock art, taniwha, and stories of the land. In this fun-filled workshop, you’ll become the puppeteer!
These events are suitable for tamariki aged 5+ with their caregivers, and registrations are required.
- Karori Library | Tuesday 19 July, 10 – 11am (Register here)
- Johnsonville Library | Tuesday 19 July, 2 – 3pm (Register here)
- Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library | Thursday 21 July, 10 – 11am (Register here)
- Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library | Friday 22 July, 10 – 11am (Register here)
Stories From Our Place with Zealandia
Listen to bilingual stories about our special Aotearoa plant life and animals, then discover more about them on a guided nature walk with a Zealandia educator! Tamariki registered for the first session can explore Zealandia with their whānau free of charge. At the Cummings Park Library session, we will instead be exploring the unique flora and fauna of the beautiful Cummings Park.
These events are suitable for tamariki of all ages with their caregivers, and registrations are required.
- Cummings Park (Ngaio) Library | Tuesday 12 July, 2 – 3pm (Register here)
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne | Tuesday 19 July, 1.30 – 3pm (Register here)
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne | Tuesday 19 July, 3 – 4.30pm (Register here)
Poetry Workshop with Sara Hirsch
Have you always wanted to learn how to write poetry? Have you been writing for ages and would love the chance to get some tips and tricks? Whatever your background and experience, everyone is welcome at this inclusive workshop, from newbies to the poetry obsessed.
This event is suitable for tamariki aged 8-12 with their caregivers, and registrations are required.
- Newtown Library | Friday 15 July, 2.30 – 4.30pm (Register here)
String Bean Puppets: Nan and Tuna
Nan and Tuna have been friends for 80 years and now it is time for one last adventure together. But before they leave they will need to find someone to care for the river. Join us for this special bilingual puppet show presented by Anna Bailey of String Bean Puppets!
This event is suitable for tamariki of all ages with their caregivers.
Due to the interference of COVID-19, this event has been rescheduled. The new date and location are:
- Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library | Saturday 16 July, 11.00am – 12.00pm (More information)
…and even more!
The holidays are going to be chocka with even more wonderful events, including Bricks and Giggles (LEGO® building galore!), Stop Motion Stories (fun and simple animation workshops!), Box Bonanza (what can you make armed with nothing but a cardboard box and your imagination?), Zine Machine (make your own mini-book!), and Experience VR (enter a whole new world of story through the magic of VR). Registrations are required for some of these events, so make sure you get in quick to secure your place!
Visit the links above to see all the details, or view the whole schedule on the Beyond the Page website. We can’t wait to see you there!