Naomi Arnold
Naomi Arnold is an award-winning journalist and natural history writer. Her book Northbound, Four seasons of solitude on Te Araroa was shortlisted for the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2026. Naomi has contributed to many national publications including RNZ, North & South, and New Zealand Geographic, as well as international outlets including The Washington Post and The Guardian. Her acclaimed story of New Zealand astronomy, Southern Nights, was published by HarperCollins in 2019. Naomi co-authored the Ockham-longlisted Force of Nature, a history of Forest & Bird, with renowned conservation writer David Young. Naomi started at the Nelson Mail in 2009 and was a feature writer there for five years before becoming a freelance writer and author. She lives in Nelson.
2026 festival sessions
Northbound
Naomi Arnold in conversation with Tania Miller
12pm-1pm, Sunday 26 July, Whitehaven Theatre Marlborough, $25
Naomi shares stories about the challenges and joys of walking Te Araroa. Over nine months, she traversed mountains, rivers, cities and plains through all seasons and weathers, fulfilling a 20-year dream. Along the way, Naomi endured the physical challenges of the trail, but enjoyed moments of connection, solitude, and unexpected happiness. Naomi reflects on what it means to step away from everyday life and commit to a demanding and deeply rewarding project and the quiet transformations that happen when you keep putting one foot in front of the other.