New Zealand writer Dominic Hoey talks class and comedy.
Key Information
When: Wednesday 22 October, 6 pm – 8 pm
Venue: Newcastle (City) Library, 15 Laman Street, Newcastle 2300
Cost: Free
About the Event
Award winning New-Zealand poet, novelist and youth advocate, Dominic Hoey discusses his new novel 1985 with University of Newcastle Associate Professor Trisha Pender.
Dominic Hoey’s highly anticipated third novel, 1985, is an electric coming-of-age adventure set in pre-gentrification Auckland. Following the success of his best-selling books Poor People With Money and Iceland, 1985 is a tale of underdogs, dreamers, and the disenfranchised carving out their own paths in a city on the brink of change.
‘Hoey writes with the wit and grit of an antipodean Irvine Welsh, and 1985 could well be New Zealand’s trans-Tasman Boy Swallows Universe – equally destined to be devoured and hopefully turned into tv.’ – Trisha Pender
This event is one of the Writing for Social Change events happening in October. It is co-hosted by Hunter Writer’s Centre and Newcastle City Libraries, as organised by Professor Pender and her students.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase through MacLean’s Booksellers, with Dominic signing copies after the talk.
Accessibility
Newcastle (City) Library has:
- Wheelchair access at main entrance
- Hearing augmentation (hearing loop)
- Accessible amenities
- Public transport options
- Drop-off and pick-up points
- Disability parking
Please let us know if you have specific access requirement when you are booking your workshop or call Katherine on 0435 858 145 to discuss specific access requirements.
Getting There
Public Transport: For specific routes and timetables, refer to Newcastle Transport’s official website. Newcastle Transport
By Car: There is limited parking on the street. Find nearby city carparks here.
About '1985'
It’s 1985 and Obi’s on the cusp of teenagehood, after a childhood marked by poverty, dysfunctional family dynamics, (dis)organised crime and violence. His dad’s delusional, his mum’s real sick, the Rainbow Warrior just exploded, and it’s time for Obi to grow up and get out of the spacies parlour.
When he and his best mate Al discover a map leading to unknown riches, Obi wonders if this windfall could be the thing that turns his family’s fortunes around. Instead, he’s thrown into an adventure where the stakes are a lot higher than the games he loves.
An electric novel about life in a multi-cultural, counter-cultural part of Auckland pre-gentrification. 1985 is an adventure story with a local flavour, a coming-of-age story for the underdogs, the disenfranchised and the dreamers.
About Dominic Hoey
Dominic Hoey is a poet, author and youth worker from Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa.
He’s released two best-selling novels and written a million love poems.
Through his Learn To Write Good programme, Dominic has taught thousands of writing students how to think dyslexic. He also works with rangatahi, helping to support them with their mental health and self-esteem.
He dreams of one day starting a rescue farm for wayward animals.
About Trisha Pender
Trisha Pender is an Associate Professor of English and Writing who has published widely on women’s literary history and feminist cultural studies. For the last decade she has coordinated the Gender Research Network at the University of Newcastle, and in 2025 established the Writing for Social Change speakers’ series and the undergraduate course that shares its name.
Program Partners
