Randell Cottage Writers Trust invites you to
an evening with writers essa may ranapiri, Katia Astafieff & Saraid de Silva
6–7pm, Wednesday 25 November National Library Auditorium, Wellington
Hear from current Randell Cottage resident essa may ranapiri in conversation with Randell Cottage Trustee Francis Cooke and watch two specially-commissioned videos of the 2025 writers in residence, Katia Astafieff and Saraid de Silva.
essa may ranapiri (Ngaati Raukawa, Ngaati Puukeko, Te Arawa and Clan Gunn) is a poet and academic from Kirikiriroa Hamilton, who has previously published poetry collections, reviews and essays. At Randell Cottage, they’ve worked on their first novel, Te Rama Tama/Eeling by Torchlight, the story of two young trans Māori. Their third poetry collection, ‘Puke’, launches in early November.
The first video features French travel writer and science populariser, Katia Astafieff. Katia’s 2025 Randell Cottage project followed in the footsteps of renowned English botanical illustrator, Marianne North, who visited New Zealand in the 1880s.
Saraid de Silva attracted widespread recognition for her first novel, Amma. She dedicated her time in Randell Cottage in the 2nd half of 2025 to finalising her second work, leaving the residency with a full draft of Men I’ve Killed In My Sleep. It has since been announced that Footnote Press, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has acquired publication rights and the novel will appear in April 2028.
Light refreshments will be served beforehand, from 5.15pm.
Koha (suggest $5 pp) would be appreciated. Please bring cash for book raffles.
RSVP: info@randellcottage.co.nz by 5.30pm, Monday 23 November.
Watch online on Zoom