Writers Write : Actors Read

Bridget
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Arts

Well-known actors read short stories written by Aotearoa New Zealand writers to a live audience. Curated by Bridget van der Zijpp.

  1. 2d ago

    Michael Hurst reads An Affair of the Heart by Frank Sargeson

    Send us Fan Mail Frank Sargeson (1903–1982) was one of New Zealand’s most important and influential short fiction writers.  He lived most of his life in Takapuna in Auckland where this story An Affair of the Heart is set, and his modest home there is now an historic place that can be visited. Actor and director Michael Hurst is known for his powerful stage performances, and innovative direction (especially in Shakespeare and the Greeks) and, internationally, for his role as Iolaus in the US television series “Hercules – The Legendary Journeys”.  He is a New Zealand Arts Laureate, and was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (O.N.Z.M.) for services to theatre and film. Curated by Bridget van der Zijpp, recorded live at The Button Factory in Auckland, and recorded, edited and mastered by Tim Bern. The 2026 series is supported by Creative New Zealand.

  2. 12/27/2025

    Mele Toli reads Bluey by Maria Samuela

    Send us Fan Mail Bluey has been selected from Maria Samuela's collection Beats of the Pa’u published by Te Herenga Waka University Press. Maria was born in Wellington and her writing is predominantly centred on the Cook Island diaspora. Her stories have appeared in numerous anthologies and Beats of the Pa’u (THWUP) is her first collection. Her story Bluey was shortlisted for the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2019, with a second story, Peach Tree, was longlisted in 2022, and We'll meet again was shortlisted in 2025. Mele Toli is a dynamic actor of Cook Islander, Māori, Tongan, and Italian heritage, best known for her breakout role as Hiona Mohi in Hyperspace, and her compelling performance as the Bride in Cold Feet. A 2023 graduate of The Actors' Program, Mele brings rich cultural depth, versatility, and authenticity to every role she inhabits.  This episode contains strong language so listener discretion is advised. Curated by Bridget van der Zijpp, recorded live at Ockham Collective’s The Nix in Auckland, and recorded, edited and mastered by Depot Sound in Devonport. The Live events were supported by Auckland Council and the Creative Communities Scheme.

  3. 12/27/2025

    Millen Baird reads The Baddest Toroa in Town by Airini Beautrais

    Send us Fan Mail The Baddest Toroa in Town is selected from the Airini Beautrais' prize winning collection Bug Week which was published by Te Herenga Waka University Press. Airini  won the Best First Book of Poetry in the Montana New Zealand Book Awards in 2007 for Secret Heart. Her subsequent books include Western Line, Dear Neil Roberts, Flow: Whanganui River Poems and in 2021, she won the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction for her short story collection, Bug Week. Subsequently essay collection, The Beautiful Afternoon, was longlisted for the Ockhams General Non-Fiction Prize in 2025.  Millen Baird is a multi-talented actor, comedian and producer, and a ubiquitous screen presence in NZ - best known for M3GAN, Auckland Daze, and his sketch comedy The Millen Baird Show. This episode contains strong language so listener discretion is advised. Curated by Bridget van der Zijpp, recorded live at Ockham Collective’s The Nix in Auckland, and recorded, edited and mastered by Depot Sound in Devonport. The Live events were supported by Auckland Council and the Creative Communities Scheme.

  4. 12/25/2025

    Donna Brookbanks reads Emergency Procedures by Amy Head

    Send us Fan Mail Emergency Procedures by Amy Head has been selected from the stunning collection Signs of Life, published by Te Herenga Waka University Press - which is set amidst the rubble of post-quake Christchurch. Amy is also the author of the novel Rotorua and the collection Tough, which won the Best First Book of Fiction at the NZ Book Awards.  Donna Brookbanks is an actor, comedian, writer and improviser. She has appeared on Madam, 7 Days, Creamerie and co-founded cult hit improv show, Snort.  Curated by Bridget van der Zijpp, recorded live at Ockham Collective’s The Nix in Auckland, and recorded, edited and mastered by Depot Sound in Devonport. The Live events were supported by Auckland Council and the Creative Communities Scheme.

  5. 12/25/2025

    Rutene Spooner reads Hooks and Feelers by Keri Hulme

    Send us Fan Mail Keri Hulme's story Hooks and Feelers won the 1975 BNZ Katherine Mansfield prize and set her on the writing path that led to her becoming our first ever Booker Prize winner with The Bone People. Selected from the anthology Oh, to be a writer, a real writer with the kind permission of Te Herenga Waka University Press.   Rutene Spooner (Ngāti Porou, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a musician, theatre artist, creative producer, kaihaka, and dad. He has lent his voice to Disney Reo Māori films such as Frozen, Coco, Encanto, and most recently as Kele in Moana 2. The New Zealand Herald has dubbed him “a mainstay of the Auckland cabaret scene,” and in 2023 he was recognised with the Grant Tilly Actor of the Year Award at the esteemed Wellington Theatre Awards. Curated by Bridget van der Zijpp, recorded live at Ockham Collective’s The Nix in Auckland, and recorded, edited and mastered by Depot Sound in Devonport. The Live events were supported by Auckland Council and the Creative Communities Scheme.

  6. 12/20/2025

    Claire Chitham reads Babydoll by Catherine Chidgey

    Send us Fan Mail Babydoll by Catherine Chidgey was first published on ReadingRoom. Catherine Chidgey is currently experiencing world-wide acclaim with her most recent novel The Book of Guilt, her ninth novel. Her previous two, The Axeman’s Carnival and Pet, were both longlisted for 2024 International Dublin Literary Award, and The Axeman’s Carnival won the Jan Medlicott prize at the Ockham NZ Book Awards.   Claire Chitham famously played Aurora on Outrageous Fortune and was a fan favourite on Shortland Street. Her recent credits include lead roles in Fresh Eggs, Falling Inn Love, Brokenwood and Don’t Make Me Go. Curated by Bridget van der Zijpp, recorded live at Ockham Collective’s The Nix in Auckland, and recorded, edited and mastered by Depot Sound in Devonport. The Live events were supported by Auckland Council and the Creative Communities Scheme.

  7. 12/20/2025

    Harry McNaughton reads Jewel's Darl by Anne Kennedy

    Send us Fan Mail The award-winning story Jewel’s Darl by Anne Kennedy won the 1983 BNZ Katherine Mansfield Prize, shooting the as-yet-unheard-of Anne Kennedy to instant literary fame. Later Peter Wells made an iconic short film of the story, casting a very young Georgina Beyer as Jewel. Anne Kennedy has since gone on to become one of our most revered writers, receiving the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in Poetry in 2021. She has published five collections of poetry as well as four novels, a novella, and anthologised short stories. She is the two-time winner of the New Zealand Book Award for Poetry, and her latest collection, The Sea Walks into the Wall (AUP) was shortlisted for the 2022 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.    Harry McNaughton is an actor-turned-writer-turned-producer, and now divides his time between starring in shows (Shortland Street, Happiness) and creating them (The Pact, Madam). He co-owns KOHA Productions with his husband Koro Dickinson.  This episode contains strong language so listener discretion is advised. Curated by Bridget van der Zijpp, recorded live at Ockham Collective’s The Nix in Auckland, and recorded, edited and mastered by Depot Sound in Devonport. The Live events were supported by Auckland Council and the Creative Communities Scheme.

  8. 12/18/2025

    Maaka Pohatu reads A Casket Made of Flax by Airana Ngarewa

    Send us Fan Mail A Casket Made of Flax was selected from Airana Ngarewa’s short story collection Pātea Boys, published by Moa Press. Airana Ngarewa (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāruahine) was born and raised in Pātea, and has published three books – the novel The Bone Tree, short story collection Pātea Boys, and his new novel The Last Living Cannibal – which instantly stormed up the best-seller charts on release. Maaka Pohatu (Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) most recently starred in the television series Warren’s Vortex but is well known for his role in Wellington Paranormal as Sargeant Maaka. He is a founding member of the Modern Māori Quartet and has had iconic onscreen appearances in Happiness, The Rule of Jenny Penn, Two Little Boys, Our Flag Means Death Season 2, Poi E and many others. Curated by Bridget van der Zijpp, recorded live at Ockham Collective’s The Nix in Auckland, and recorded, edited and mastered by Depot Sound in Devonport. The Live events were supported by Auckland Council and the Creative Communities Scheme.

See All (13)

About

Well-known actors read short stories written by Aotearoa New Zealand writers to a live audience. Curated by Bridget van der Zijpp.

Information

  • Creator
    Bridget
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Writers Write : Actors Read
  • Show Website
    Writers Write : Actors Read