When We Was Fab – Celebrating 60 Years since The Beatles’ NZ Tour

60 years ago, on the 22nd of June 1964, The Beatles began their NZ tour with sold-out shows in Wellington followed by Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch. Join us to relive the memories, the music and the hysteria of the Fab Four’s NZ tour as told in the new book, ‘When We Was Fab: Inside The Beatles Australasian Tour‘.

The culmination of a lifetime’s research by Beatles experts, Andy Neill and Greg Armstrong, ‘When We Was Fab‘ unearths rare photos, stories and memories sure to wow even the most dedicated Beatles fan.

The event will feature authors Andy and Greg in conversation with David Hedley in Masterton and music historian, John Baker in Auckland, alongside a video collage from the book and tour. Plus the opportunity to meet and swap stories with other Beatles fans.

First edition copies of ‘When We Was Fab: Inside The Beatles Australasian Tour 1964‘ will be available to purchase and have signed by the authors on the night.

4–6pm, Saturday 22nd June 2024
Hedley’s Books, 150 Queen St, Masterton

7–10pm, Tuesday 25th June 2024
Big Fan Live Music Venue, 25 McDonald St, Morningside, Auckland

The Beach Boys Exhibition

Capturing their astounding rise from Hawthorne garage band to one of the most loved bands of all time, The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys is their first official book and a rare group collaboration.

In celebration of the book’s release, The Beach Boys Exhibition will be popping up in Auckland and Masterton for a very limited time. Featuring iconic images from the book as photographic prints, these incredible images capture the essence of The Beach Boys and will be available to view and buy alongside the book.

Auckland
Monday 3rd – Sunday 16th June 2024
Ponsonby Central, 136-146 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland

Masterton
Tuesday 9th – Saturday 27th July 2024
Hedley’s Books, 150 Queen St, Masterton

Yarns in Barns: Wairarapa Festival of Reading
October 2024

A 10 day celebration of stories and the joy of printed books. Running every two years, Yarns in Barns features author talks on subjects from farming to fiction, art to cooking, true crime to children’s stories.

With each event hosted in a unique venue from Masterton to Martinborough, it is also a celebration of our region’s diverse community – old historic courthouses, woolsheds, libraries, a bookstore and of course a barn!

Sign up to hear about our next festival in 2024.

Hedley’s Book Club

Booklovers unite! Be welcomed into a community of readers, experience the cosy magic of the bookshop after hours and be inspired by the latest book recommendations from Sue Reid.

What to expect

Arrive for a 5.30pm start. Grab a drink and a nibble as Sue shares updates from the world of books. Then she’ll dive in with her review of that month’s Book Club selections to kick off a wider bookish korero. Read the selections in advance OR simply come along for some ‘To be Read’ pile inspiration.

See the full list of books we’ve been reading here.

The store will be open until 7pm for you to chat, browse and buy books.

Upcoming dates
Wednesday 12th June
Wednesday 10th July

5.30–7pm, Hedley’s Books, 150 Queen St, Masterton
Tickets $8. Includes refreshments and 10% off any purchases on the night.

Featherston Booktown Karukatea

We’re proud to support Featherston Booktown as their official bookseller stocking titles from all the attending authors. Mark your calendars for the next event.

Next Featherston Booktown Karukatea
May 2025