WORD Christchurch has announced its 2021 festival, due to take place from 25 to 29 August has been postponed.

The festival is the largest literary organisation in the South Island.

The organisation said it was working on a new date later in the year, which will be announced soon.

It hoped to release a new programme in the next few weeks.

The festival speaker’s included Jackie Clark who founded the charity The Aunties, two “leading Pākehā thinkers” Claudia Orange and Alison Jones, former Greens MP Sue Kedgley speaking to Lianne Dalziel,

Programme co-director Rachael King said “it’s disappointing to have to postpone the festival but this is the reality of the times we live in and it’s much better to lock down and keep COVID at bay than to put everyone at risk.

“We will be back, and as much as possible we’ll retain the elements of the festival that will make it such a powerful, diverse and entertaining event.”

Ticket buyers will be contacted regarding potential ticket transfers (to new dates) and refunds.