Bookshop Prayers with Paul McLaney

From Gramsci and Fly My Pretties, to the musical supervision for World of Wearable Arts and the Shakespeare Pop-up Globe. Multi-talented musician, Paul McLaney now adds published author to his resume.

Delivered with trademark talent and class, Bookshop Prayers is an exquisitely produced collection of verse for all ages. Featuring rhymes of cheer and good intent for everyday use.

Join us for a glass of wine and an afternoon of rhyme and song as Paul performs verse from Bookshop Prayers and songs from his back catalogue of music.

4-6pm
Saturday 12th October – National Bookshop Day
Hedley’s Books, Masterton
Tickets $10 / cash bar available

Paul’s books: Bookshop Prayers and The Deep Dark Hole will be available to purchase and have signed.

An evening with All Black legend, Samuel Whitelock

Meet NZ’s most-capped All Black, hear how farming, family and footy made a champion, and celebrate the launch of his new book, View from the Second Row.

Purchase your signed copy thanks to Hedley’s Books who will donate a portion of sales on the night to Golden Shears.

5pm–7pm, Friday 8th November
Copthorne Solway, High St, Masterton
Individual tickets $65 / Group of 10 $600

Tickets include a welcome drink and canapés, and a cash bar is available. All proceeds go towards the World Shearing Championships 2026.

Hedley’s Book Club

Booklovers unite! Be welcomed into a community of readers, experience the cosy magic of the bookshop after hours and be inspired by the latest book recommendations from Sue Reid.

What to expect

Arrive for a 5.30pm start. Grab a drink and a nibble as Sue shares updates from the world of books. Then she’ll dive in with her review of that month’s Book Club selections to kick off a wider bookish korero. Read the selections in advance OR simply come along for some ‘To be Read’ pile inspiration.

See the full list of books we’ve been reading here.

The store will be open until 7pm for you to chat, browse and buy books.

Upcoming dates
Wednesday 14th August – a special edition, with Charity Norman!
Wednesday 11th September

5.30–7pm, Hedley’s Books, 150 Queen St, Masterton
Tickets $8. Includes refreshments and 10% off any purchases on the night.

Yarns in Barns: Wairarapa Festival of Reading
12–26th October 2024

A celebration of stories and the joy of printed books. Running every two years, Yarns in Barns features author talks on subjects from farming to fiction, art to cooking, true crime to children’s stories.

With each event hosted in a unique venue from Masterton to Martinborough, it is also a celebration of our region’s diverse community – old historic courthouses, woolsheds, libraries, a bookstore and of course a barn!

Signed up to receive the programme – coming soon!

Featherston Booktown Karukatea

We’re proud to support Featherston Booktown as their official bookseller stocking titles from all the attending authors. Mark your calendars for the next event.

Next Featherston Booktown Karukatea
May 2025