There are a couple of jolly nice wee lit events this weekend in Auckland City if you’re in town – you might be popping in for the Lantern Festival in Albert Park for example. If so, go a little early on either day and check these out.

On Saturday the Maori Volcanics will be performing live at Borders bookstore on Queen Street. Huia Publishers are doing the Auckland launch of their fabulous book Showband! Mahora and the Maori Volcanics at 3pm in the music department. This will most definitely be a top hoot.

And on Sunday at the Art Gallery, poets Paula Green and Michele Leggott (NZ Electronic Poetry Centre) will be responding in verse to the beautiful domestic still lives of Frances Hodgkins (1869-1947) in the Main Gallery, also at 3pm.

Two magnificent free cultural events steeped in NZ talent. Can’t say fairer than that.