Today we profile The Underground Bookstore, a collective of Wellington-based authors passionate about promoting and celebrating New Zealand writers and giving them the recognition they deserve. Here, Vanessa Evetts tells us about TUB’s origins, successes, and goals for the future….
Robin Hyde (pen name for Iris Wilkinson), one of New Zealand’s best poets, novelists and journalists, is widely praised for her wit, compassion, and imagery, as well as for the power and emotional accuracy of her writing. She is credited…
Story Hemi-Morehouse (of Ngāti Koata and Ngāti Toa Rangatira descent) is an award-winning writer-illustrator who burst onto the NZ literary scene after experimenting with her art during the Covid-19 lockdowns. With nine books already to her name, and more on…
Following Part 1 of the discussion about the lack of children’s picture books focused on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Barry McLernon (Te Āti Awa & Pākehā Scottish, Dutch ancestry) and Kay Benseman (Pākehā German, Irish, Scottish, Spanish, English ancestry) kōrero…
Rachael King has been enamoured with The Raven’s Song ever since its release last year. Here, she interviews the book’s authors, Bren MacDibble and Zana Frallion, on their creative process, the co-authoring experience, and more. The Raven’s Song burst onto…
It’s time for the return of the Mahy Questionnaire – and what better way to kick it off again than with literary legend Catherine Chidgey? Devourers of books for grown-ups will be well-acquainted with Catherine’s name, with some serious prizes and plaudits…
Ant Sang has been a part of New Zealand’s comic scene for decades, with the graphic novels The Dhama Punks and Shaolin Burning to his name. Beyond that, his art will be familiar to many people from the cartoon bro’Town…
This year has been huge for Paula Green, the biggest cheerleader of poetry for children in Aotearoa. She’s had two children’s books published, both with Puffin/Penguin Random House NZ. Jane Arthur talks with Paula about these books, poetry, and life….
Richard Fairgray is an award-winning creator who has published over 200 titles, ranging from children’s books like Gorillas in Our Midst and My Grandpa Is a Dinosaur to graphic novels like Black Sand Beach, Blastosaurus and Cardboardia. Here, Charlotte Fielding…
Mikaela Ellwood is the School Librarian at Henderson North School in Tāmaki Makaurau. The school library I am privileged to work in is tucked in a corner of Henderson, on the edge of Auckland. I was welcomed to this role…