Articles

ArticlesNgā Atikara

Immerse yourself in feature stories on books and authors from Aotearoa. Dive into author interviews, articles, extracts, essays and more.

Tēnā, rukuhia ngā paki hirahira o ngā pukapuka me ngā kaituhi nō Aotearoa. Rukuhia ngā uiui kaituhi, ngā atikara, ngā tīpakohanga, ngā tuhingaroa, aha atu, aha atu.

Listen

Listen: What Was I Thinking, Greg Judkins

Greg Judkins, author of WHAT WAS I THINKING, reflects on a life of adventure and challenge, along with the mistakes that he describes as an inescapable part of both personal and pr...

19 February 2026

Extract

Extract: Garrison World, by Charlotte Macdonald

Garrison World explores the lives of soldiers, sailors and their families stationed in Aotearoa New Zealand and across the British empire in the nineteenth century.

19 February 2026

Extract

Tiny Book, Big Things, Mighty Kaupapa

What are Big Things? There are over 10,000 of these larger-than-life kitsch roadside structures around the world, and 125 (and counting!) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

19 February 2026

Interview

Stomach-churning moments: Thomas Coyle on THE DEAD SPEAK

'I wrote this book for anyone who has an interest in forensic science, whether it is those that are avid viewers to dramatized crime shows or those that are genuinely curious...'

4 February 2026

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Listen: Cats with Jobs

Leanne McGregor, managing editor at Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand and author of CATS WITH JOBS, talks about generating ideas, some of her favourite cats from the book and what...

30 January 2026

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Listen: John Prins, Pastoral Care

John Prins, debut author of short story collection PASTORAL CARE, talks about messy drafts, endings and being voted into The Listener's Top 100 Books of 2025.

30 January 2026

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Listen: Living with dyslexia, Chanelle Moriah

Chanelle Moriah, author of non-fiction workbooks I AM DYSLEXIC and THIS IS ADHD, talks about the process of writing with dyslexia and getting diagnosed, and how the book can help n...

30 January 2026

Extract

Extract: New Zealand Place Names, by Peter Dowling

From Aotearoa to Zalatown, Whanganui to Whangarei, Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua to Bluff, New Zealand Place Names is a treasure trove of names for locals and visitors alike. Enjoy...

14 January 2026

Interview

WORTH A DETOUR destinations with Peter Janssen

Peter Janssen muses on the 'Sunday Drive' and how it shaped his love of exploring places--or being 'a complete nosey-parker'--as his travel guides WORTH A DETOUR (NORTH AND SOUTH) ...

17 December 2025

Extract

Extract: Overland to the Island, by Hannah Bulloch

OVERLAND TO THE ISLAND tells the lively and frequently jaw-dropping story of Alan and Joan MacLeod's 1963 journey from Dunedin to the Isle of Skye in Scotland with their six childr...

10 December 2025

Interview

A house-truck across the world: Hannah Bulloch

Author of OVERLAND TO THE ISLAND, Hannah Bulloch, delves into the writing and research processes that brought her book to life.

10 December 2025

Listen

'Children of the Mist' by Elsdon Best republished

Esteemed scholar Rāpata Wiri (Ngā Tūhoe and Ngāti Ruapani) chats to Kathryn Ryan about the new edition of CHILDREN OF THE MIST, by Elsdon Best.

2 December 2025

Listen

Dinah Hawken reads a poem

Esteemed poet Dinah Hawken speaks about her career and upcoming 2026 new book, plus reads a poem, in this interview at RNZ.

27 November 2025

Interview

Cats at Work: Leanne McGregor on furry friends

Leanne McGregor chats to Kete about furry friends, writing her first book, and the path to publishing CATS WITH JOBS.

19 November 2025

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Listen: Kiri Lightfoot's love of picture books

Kiri Lightfoot, author of the recent picture book TE NGAHERE I TE PŌ / THE FOREST AT NIGHT and award-winning YA BEAR, talks about the brilliance of picture books.

13 November 2025

Interview

Skateboarding and research joy: Josie Shapiro and Sue Orr

Brilliant, sparkling novels: Josie Shapiro and Sue Orr talk skateboarding, digging deep into research, and surprising characters. Take a look to see into the background of GOOD THI...

12 November 2025

Extract

Extract: Amma, by Saraid de Silva

We feature an extract from #NewVoicesofAotearoa Saraid de Silva's debut novel, AMMA, published in 2024 by Moa Press.

12 November 2025

Extract

Extract: Tāmaki Makaurau 2025: Essays on Life in Auckland

An essay extract by Jean Teng from the recently-released book TĀMAKI MAKAURAU 2025: ESSAYS ON LIFE IN AUCKLAND

11 November 2025

Interview

'The urgent need for stories': Danielle Kionasina Dilys Thomson

Danielle Kionasina Dilys Thomson talks to Kete about her books, her publishing company Tagata Atamai, and what's on the horizon. Plus we feature a poem extract from TUSIATA, her se...

4 November 2025

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Listen: Olivia Spooner and WWII American soldiers

Olivia Spooner reflects on WWII American soldiers based in NZ, the subject of her latest novel, in this SUNDAY MORNING interview.

30 October 2025

Interview

'joyful queer tangata Tiriti ways': Dr liz breslin

Dr. liz breslin gives Kete the lowdown on their new collection, SHOW YOU'RE WORKING OUT.

29 October 2025