Janet Frame House

05/11/2025

Look who came for a visit yesterday! 🐱

02/11/2025

It's November and that means the Janet Frame House is open for another season. We would love to welcome you to this special place. We are at 56 Eden Street, Oamaru. Open daily 2pm to 4pm, November through to April.

27/10/2025

We have been getting ready to open for another session. Thanks to everyone who helped at the working bee and with the garage deconstruction too!

03/09/2025

Well said Shayne!

"The Janet Frame autobiographies all the way baby. So singular and … thoughtful. Her poetic forensics. I love how interested she is and how she dresses nondescript streets and buildings I’m familiar with, with atmosphere and magic."

'Have had several encounters with authors. The impression I’m left with is that they’re nerds like musicians, but not as well dressed.'

28/08/2025

Happy Birthday to Janet Frame and congratulations Emma!

25/08/2025

A huge thank you to Louise Wallace, Kate Camp and all who took part in our events last weekend.

We could not have done it without the support of the Creative Communities Scheme so thank you Creative New Zealand and Waitaki District Council.

Thanks as well to Waitaki District Libraries and Waitaki Girls' High School for being awesome venues for our events!

14/08/2025

See you at the Oamaru Library tonight for this great event

THIS FRIDAY - An Evening with Louise Wallace – Friday 15 August, 6–7pm at Ōamaru Library

This will be a special literary evening featuring acclaimed poet and novelist Louise Wallace, chaired by celebrated writer Kate Camp.

Louise is the author of four poetry collections and the upcoming novel Ash, soon to be published internationally. She’s also the founder of Starling, an online journal for young Aotearoa writers, and editor of Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems 2022. A former Robert Burns Fellow, Louise brings a wealth of insight and creativity.

Expect an hour of inspiring kōrero, thoughtful reflections, and live readings from Louise’s work — all in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

11/08/2025

Counting down to this Friday!

THIS FRIDAY - An Evening with Louise Wallace – Friday 15 August, 6–7pm at Ōamaru Library

This will be a special literary evening featuring acclaimed poet and novelist Louise Wallace, chaired by celebrated writer Kate Camp.

Louise is the author of four poetry collections and the upcoming novel Ash, soon to be published internationally. She’s also the founder of Starling, an online journal for young Aotearoa writers, and editor of Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems 2022. A former Robert Burns Fellow, Louise brings a wealth of insight and creativity.

Expect an hour of inspiring kōrero, thoughtful reflections, and live readings from Louise’s work — all in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

02/08/2025

We are really looking forward to this event with Waitaki District Libraries

An Evening with Louise Wallace – Friday 15 August, 6–7pm at Ōamaru Library

Join us for a free special literary evening featuring acclaimed poet and novelist Louise Wallace, chaired by celebrated writer Kate Camp.

Louise is the author of four poetry collections and the upcoming novel Ash, soon to be published internationally. She’s also the founder of Starling, an online journal for young Aotearoa writers, and editor of Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems 2022. A former Robert Burns Fellow, Louise brings a wealth of insight and creativity.

Expect an hour of inspiring kōrero, thoughtful reflections, and live readings from Louise’s work — all in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

27/06/2025

Janet Frame's work always rewards a re-read

We invite on a member of New Zealand's literary community to reread a book they haven't read in years and share their experience.

08/04/2025

Thanks for the shout out Kate!

In Kate Camp's new poetry collection Makeshift Seasons she's often to be found in togs, just in or out of the sea. Or, as she writes in one poem, "always driving to coasts in special outfits."

28/01/2025

"no luggage but memory and a pocketful of words"

Janet Paterson Frame, born 28 August 1924, died 29 January 2004.

It is the 21st anniversary today of Janet Frame's death. She is remembered with much love and every day her work finds new readers and makes new admirers around the world.

📷 Jerry Bauer