Authors

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Joy brings to her writing a love of literature and of scripture. She holds an honours degree in English from the University of Canterbury, and in 2004 gained a Bachelor of Theology degree from the University of Otago. Soon after Joy began to be asked to lead worship for her home congregation and then for other congregations, learning how to do so by trial and error and with helpful advice offered by those sitting in the pews. This experience convinced her of the importance of resourcing lay worship leaders for the task they are requested to undertake. Joy has served on the executive committee of the New Zealand Lay Preachers Association, including in the role of President. She is a member of the Village Presbyterian Church in Christchurch. Joy is now retired after a 31 year career with the Christchurch City Council, in the discipline of road safety education. She is married to David Aitken, without whose support her lay preaching ministry could not happen. Her first book Prayers for Southern Seasons was published in 2019.

Brent Kininmont is from Ōtautahi Christchurch and now lives in Tokyo. A former journalist, he leads seminars in intercultural communication. He has an MA in Creative Writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters, and his poems have appeared widely in Aotearoa, including in three editions of Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems. His first book of poetry was Thuds Underneath (2015).

No biography

Jeff Kinney (Author) Jeff Kinney is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and the Awesome Friendly Kid series. He is a six-time Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award winner for Favorite Book and has been named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England, where he and his wife own a bookstore named An Unlikely Story. Heni Jacob (Translator) Heni Jacob (Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Porou) lives in Otaki and is a freelance Maori language translator and writer.

Shilo Kino (Nga Puhi, Tainui) is a journalist who works for Marae. She has had her work published in the New Zealand Herald, The Spinoff, The Pantograph Punch, Stuff and Huia Short Stories collections and was a participant in the 2018 Te Papa Tupu writing programme. Shilo is fluent in Mandarin, has lived in Hong Kong and is a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network of young leaders strengthening ties with Asia.

No biography

Elizabeth (Libby) Kirkby-McLeod's poetry and writing have appeared in a range of New Zealand journals, online publications, and in a public art installation. She is the author of the 'Eugene's Island' junior chapter book series. Her other books include: the poetry collection 'Family Instructions Upon', a children's book 'World Folk Tales', and (as editor) the short story collection, 'Lit: stories from home'.

The concept of children’s books to inspire a connection with nature is the latest brainchild of a local author, Lynn Kirkland. Well known as the founder of the Herb Farm in rural Manawatu, Lynn’s latest inspiration is writing children’s books which teach children about herbs in a fun engaging way. Lynn’s background as a teacher, herbalist and author as well as a grandmother gives her the ideal credentials to be now producing books to connect children with the healing powers of herbs.

Sir John Kirwan, one of the most devastating wingers that world rugby has ever seen, was an All Black from 1984 to 1994. He went on to coach of the Italian and Japanese national rugby teams, as well as the Auckland-based Super Rugby franchise The Blues. Following his playing career, JK became an advocate for depression awareness in New Zealand, fronting a high-profile TV campaign and authoring the bestselling memoir All Blacks Don't Cry. He was knighted in 2012 for his services to mental health.

Mary Kisler MNZM worked for 21 years at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, latterly as Senior Curator, Mackelvie Collection, International Art. In 2016, she was Craig Hugh Smyth Fellow at the Harvard Centre for Renaissance Art, Villa I Tatti, Florence, researching Italian works held in New Zealand Public Collections. Her previous publications include Angels & Aristocrats: Early European art in New Zealand public collections (Godwit, 2010); Finding Frances Hodgkins (Massey University Press, 2019), and as contributing author and coeditor with Catherine Hammond, Frances Hodgkins - European Journeys (Auckland University Press in Association with Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, 2019 and Thames and Hudson, 2019). Kisler also helped to create www.completefranceshodgkins.com.