Diana Wichtel

Diana Wichtel is an award-winning journalist, well known for her media commentary for the New Zealand Listener.

Her family memoir Driving to Treblinka, A Long Search for a Lost Father was shortlisted for Non-Fiction Category the 2018 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards - and she recently won!

Born in Vancouver, Canada, Diana came to New Zealand at the age of 13 and has worked as a teacher, a university tutor and a journalist. She lives in Auckland with her family.

Read more about Diana...

 

Festival sessions

Writing About Family 

5.30-6.30pm, Saturday 7 July, Boathouse Theatre, $20 - Diana Wichtel & Tom Scott in conversation with Nikki Macdonald

Diana and Tom have both recently published works that delve into their family history. Journalist Nikki Macdonald will lead them in a discussion of the possible perils of writing family memoirs, the insistence of memories, and the importance of family in determining who we become.

 

Driving to Treblinka 

2-3pm, Sunday 8 July, Boathouse Theatre, $20 - Diana Wichtel in conversation with Tessa Nicholson

Diana's family memoir Driving to Treblinka has been described as a "beautiful, profoundly moving search for her father and also for memory, in a story that clings to humour and love". 

Interviewer Tessa Nicholson is adept at drawing out the humour and love in deeply moving personal stories. Join her in conversation with Diana.