Record attendees for Storylines hui

New Zealand’s community of children’s and young adult writers and illustrators will gather in Auckland over the weekend of 3-4 October 2026 for the national hui. Organised by the Storylines Children Literature Trust Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki, the national hui at Dilworth School, Auckland, is being attended by some 180 writers and illustrators from all over New Zealand.

'The response has been phenomenal,” says event organiser Leonie Agnew, 'especially in these tough economic times – testament to the passion and commitment of those who want to create books for New Zealand’s young readers. Our Storylines team is looking forward with excitement to welcoming both aspiring and experienced children's book creators from around the motu.'

Veteran author Tessa Duder was among the 32 authors and illustrators attending the first hui in 1992 at Joy Cowley’s home in the Marlborough Sounds. She says, 'Since then, children’s writers and illustrators have gathered for some ten events held in the main centres, but this 2026 hui is significantly the largest yet.'

The pitch slam sessions, where attendees can pitch their ideas to editors from major publishing houses, sold out within weeks, but the full two-day programme also includes master classes, workshops and panels. Among the presenters are internationally published authors Graci Kim, Gavin Bishop, Kate De Goldi, Donovan Bixley, Swapna Haddow, Li Chen, Giselle Clarkson, Eileen Merriman, and the recent ‘Margaret Mahy Book of the Year‘ winners Josh Morgan and Sasha Cotter.

More than 200 will attend the traditional Saturday night Literary Banquet, with entertainment provided by writers themselves: Sam Smith, Donovan Bixley, Tessa Duder, Tim Tipene and Graci Kim.

For further information on Storylines, go to www.storylines.org.nz.