Kat Quin started her illustration career in 2002 with projects for Te Wananga o Aotearoa. In 2014, from her award-winning educational design studio, she launched her own publishing imprint, Illustrated Publishing.

Since releasing her first book, Kuwi's First Egg, she has published more than 24 titles. In 2016, the te reo Maori version of Kuwi's First Egg, translated by Pania Papa, won the Children's Choice Award at the NZ Book Awards.

Kat and Pania's popular large-format book, Kuwi & Friends Maori Picture Dictionary, received the Award for Best Educational Book at the 2021 PANZ Book Design Awards, and was recognised as a Storylines Notable Non-fiction Book.

In 2025, more than a decade after its original release, Kuwi's First Egg was honoured with the prestigious Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-Loved Book, recognising its place as a lasting treasure in the world of New Zealand children's literature.
Kat Quin's passion for all things children's books and illustration is apparent throughout all her works to date. Gaining inspiration and critique from her own six tamariki, her honest accounts from a birds eye view are endearing to readers of all ages.

She is quintessentially Kiwi, which erupts through her quirky illustrations, on which she spends thirty plus hours for each spread.

During her visits to schools, Kat talks about her writing and illustration journey, illustration techniques, and her involvement in kiwi conservation. The Kuwi series has raised over $70,000 for Save the Kiwi, aiding various kiwi conservation projects throughout Aotearoa.