Leading Under Pressure: An evening with former All Black coach, Ian Foster

Having coached the All Blacks through one of the most tumultuous periods in the team’s history, Ian Foster knows about pressure.

Join us for an entertaining evening where Foster will share revelations from his new book, Leading Under Pressure, the politics of rugby, the drama of the 2023 World Cup and what the pressure cooker of NZ Rugby’s top job has taught him about leadership.

His new book, Leading Under Pressure ($39.99), will be available to purchase and the talk will be followed by a book signing with Ian.

All ticket proceeds will go towards saving Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre.

5–7pm Thursday 31 July 2025
Copthorne Solway Park Hotel

Tickets $65 / Group of 10 $600 + booking fees

Book Launch: Lofty

Rick Long invites you to the launch of Lofty: The Short Life of Flight Lieutenant Frank Long DFC – the story of a wartime hero from Masterton.

At 21, Frank Long joined the Royal Air Force and was flying Whitley Bombers over Germany shortly after. 80 years after his death in action, author and military historian Neil Frances brings this decorated Masterton pilot to life.

The launch will include a short talk followed by a book signing with Rick Long and Neil Frances. The book, Lofty ($40), will be available for purchase on the day. 

2.30–4pm Saturday 26th July 2025
Hedley’s Books, 150 Queen St, Masterton

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 for you to chat, browse and buy books.

Upcoming dates
5.30pm Wednesday 9th July
5.30pm Wednesday 13th August

Hedley’s Books, 150 Queen St, Masterton
Tickets $8. Includes refreshments and 10% off purchases

Featherston Booktown Karukatea

We were proud to be Featherston Booktown’s Official Festival Bookseller again in 2025 – a particular special year as they celebrated their 10th Anniversary.

Shoppers in the Booksellers Marquee were able to purchase every available book from the attending authors (and get it signed too!) from us. You can browse some of the books here.

We look forward to seeing you at Featherston Booktown in May 2026.

Next Featherston Booktown Karukatea
May 2026

Kiwi Christmas Books

We’ve been supporting the charity, Kiwi Christmas Books as a donation point since 2020. Together, we collect brand new books for children of all ages to gift to Kiwi kids doing it tough at Christmas.

Support this amazing cause by dropping new books into our Masterton store, purchase them in-store or online using the ‘Add to the Kiwi Christmas Kids donation box’ shipping option.

A huge thank you for your donations which have now been given to the children in the care of the Wairarapa Women’s Refuge for Christmas 2024.

Wairarapa Bookshop Hop

The ultimate book-lovers weekend out! Grab a Passport and hop around the Wairarapa’s 12 bookshops to discover their treasures.

Collect a stamp from each store you visit and make a purchase from. Each stamp is an entry into the prize draws. In 2024 grand prize of $500 (selected from Hoppers who visit six or more stores!), a second draw for $300 for all participants, and a $200 prize for the best photo taken on the day. Use #nzbookshopday and #wairarapabookshophop

Next Wairarapa Bookshop Hop happening in October 2025

Yarns in Barns: Wairarapa Festival of Reading

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!

Thanks for joining us 12-26th October 2024. The next festival will be in 2026.