Thursday 26 June 2025, 6pm to 7pm
National Library Wellington. Entrance on Aitken Street.
The annual Friends of the Turnbull Founder Lecture, featuring esteemed historian and author Dr Monty Soutar. In his lecture, Dr Soutar will share insights into the writing of Kāwai and reflect on the role of fiction in connecting people with history.
Novels telling Aotearoa histories
When respected historian Dr Monty Soutar, ONZM (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Kahungunu) turned to fiction, his goal was to make New Zealand’s history more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.
His remarkable debut novel, Kāwai: For Such A Time As This, did just that — not only capturing the interest of readers across the country but sparking a publishing success that is rare in Aotearoa. The novel topped bestseller lists for weeks on end and prompted multiple reprints.
The Kāwai triology
Kāwai is a trilogy that explores the world of pre-colonial Aotearoa through a compelling narrative grounded in historical knowledge. This epic historical adventure tells the story of pre-colonial Aotearoa New Zealand like it’s never been told before.
The series reveals the role of colonisation in shaping Aotearoa New Zealand, balanced with an honest appraisal of the country in pre-colonial times. The second book in the series has continued the momentum, again topping bestseller lists and further establishing the trilogy as a significant contribution to contemporary New Zealand literature.
From historian to historical fiction author
Dr Soutar is also well-known for his earlier non-fiction works, including Whītiki Whiti Whiti E! Māori in the First World War and Ngā Tama Toa: The Price of Citizenship, which explore Māori participation in World War One and World War Two. In 2021, he was awarded the Creative New Zealand Michael King Writer’s Fellowship to support the development of the Kāwai series.
Through his best-selling novel series, he has reached a far broader audience than he could have by presenting the same material in a non-fiction format.
Book your free ticket
Seats are limited so book your seat now. The lecture will be followed by light refreshments.
More information and how to register can be found here.