Born in Zambia, growing up in a small Irish town and finally settling in Tauranga Moana, Anne Tiernan’s path to writing has been shaped by the places she has lived. Her sharply funny and intensely moving debut novel Last Days of Joy was shortlisted for the 2024 Kate O’Brien Award and follows a cast of unforgettable characters uprooted from Ireland to New Zealand.

Sue Hoffart meets Anne Tiernan to discuss how travel and places have inspired Anne’s writing.

A Foot in Each Place is part of our debut programme, Into the Night. Join us for a special night of celebrating local authors, storytellers and artists. Over one evening we will present a series of talks across multiple venues in Tauranga CBD. Venue hop or stay in one place; the choice is yours.

Sponsored by Kathryn Lellman Barrister and Our Patrons Fund

About the Speakers
Anne Tiernan was born in Zambia and grew up in Navan, a small town about thirty miles from Dublin. She studied English Literature and Psychology at Trinity College and worked in banking before leaving to travel the world with her Kiwi husband. They arrived in New Zealand in 2005 and have lived there ever since, settling in Tauranga and raising three children. The Last Days of Joy is her first novel and was shortlisted for the 2024 Kate O’Brien Award. She is currently working on her second novel which is due to be released in May 2025.

Freelance writer, author and former Tauranga Arts Festival trustee Sue Hoffart has spent her life crafting words. However, Sue says writing is not the best part of her job. “It’s talking to people and hearing their stories. I’d rather quiz another human than tap away at a keyboard.”