Organisations and Associations
An incomplete but reasonably comprehensive list of the organisations which make up the literary eco-system of Aotearoa
Academy of New Zealand Literature-Te Whare Mātātuhi o Aotearoa (ANZL)
A writer-led initiative developed to support and promote contemporary New Zealand writers.
Australasian Horror Writers Association (AHWA)
Formed in 2003, AHWA provides a community and unified voice for Australasian writers of dark fiction, fostering the evolution of the genre in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Book Discussion Scheme (BDS)
Lends books and discussion notes to book groups nationwide.
Established in 1921, a membership association for bookshops in New Zealand.
Based at Otago University, the Centre for the Book exists to promote interest in books and what books do in the world. Their interests extend to all types of books (and other printed matter: periodicals, ephemera), and they host an annual research symposium focusing on a different category of book each year. They also support Dunedin Library with its book exhibitions, printer-in-residence programme, and the Dunedin Rare Book School (which normally convenes in Dunedin every fourth year).
A cross-sector literary organisation working to raise the profile of New Zealand books and authors with collaborative projects.
Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ)
Helps anyone copying or sharing from books and journals to do so legally - their site is a very useful resource around copyright.
A charitable organisation with a literacy programme aimed at breaking the cycle of booklessness amongst children at low decile schools throughout New Zealand.
Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature
New Zealand’s UNESCO City of Literature - their website is a comprehensive guide to all things literary in Dunedin.
Literary festivals throughout Aotearoa can be found here
International Institute of Modern Letters, Te Pūtahi Tuhi Auaha o Te Ao
The International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) hosts Victoria University of Wellington's Creative Writing programme, offering both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Library and Information Association of NZ Aotearoa (LIANZA)
Incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1939, LIANZA operates as a not-for-profit supporting the library and information sector in Aotearoa New Zealand, ensuring that New Zealanders have equitable access to world class innovative library services in all aspects of their lives, from school to university and from public to private sector.
Māori Literature Trust Te Waka Taki Kōrero (MLT)
Established in 2000 to deliver programmes that promote and foster Māori literature and its place in the literature of Aotearoa.
Margaret Mahy House - Trust
A trust formed to save Margaret Mahy’s home for future generations. Contact Morrin Rout at: Margaretmahyhouse@gmail.com
Michael King Writers Centre (MKWC)
Aotearoa’s national writers’ facility and literary centre, based in Devonport, Auckland.
National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa
The National Library of New Zealand is here to help New Zealanders access and use the collective knowledge of the nation by collecting, connecting, and co-creating knowledge to power New Zealand, i.e. New Zealand's documentary taonga in words, sounds and pictures are collected, protected and accessible; New Zealanders can easily access national and international resources through knowledge networks; and New Zealanders work together to turn knowledge into value.
New Zealand Association for the Teaching of English (NZATE)
Promotes, supports and advocates for the teaching of English in Aotearoa, publishes English in Aotearoa, a journal for teachers by teachers.
New Zealand Book Awards Trust (NZBAT)
Established 2014 to govern and manage New Zealand’s two major literary awards - the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards and the New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults - and Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day.
New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (NZSA)
Established in 1934, the principal organisation for New Zealand authors - a membership based arts organisation, representing over 1,400 writers nationally. The NZSA site has comprehensive lists of organisations that assist, represent and inform writers.
New Zealand Writers Guild Puni Taatuhi o Aotearoa
Professional association of script writers.
One of two Toi Māori Aotearoa Māori writers' committees (see also Te Hā, below), Ngā Pou Kaituhi Māori is focused on non-fiction writing in te reo Māori. The primary event for this committee is the Māori Writers Hui, which is held biennially in locations throughout Aotearoa.
Provides services to the book industry in discovery, purchase and sales measurement of books.
Supports and develops New Zealand playwrights and plays, includes the Playmarket Agency.
Public Libraries of New Zealand
New to a place, on holiday or at home, the local library has something for you. Search the Public Libraries map for the library nearest by geographical region.
Publishers Association New Zealand Te Rau o Tākupu (PANZ)
Member organisation representing trade, educational, scholarly and digital publishers across New Zealand.
Established in 1972 (formerly the NZ Book Council), READ NZ runs campaigns to encourage New Zealanders to read (including the Writers in Schools programme), researches our reading habits and barriers to reading, and advocates for the importance of reading.
Romance Writers of New Zealand Inc (RWNZ)
An incorporated society in an active, supportive community of 250+ members who share their experience and knowledge in writing and publishing in the romance genre - new members always welcome.
School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa Te Puna Whare Mātauranga a Kura (SLANZA)
SLANZA membership is made up of school and public library staff, National Library staff, teachers, principals, publishers, book-sellers, and library-related solution providers. SLANZA provides community, guidance and professional development on library practice and programmes for school library staff in Aotearoa New Zealand while reflecting the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
SpecFicNZ is the association for creators, writers and editors of speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy and horror) in or from New Zealand. The organisation was founded in 2009 to foster a community focused on the promotion and proliferation of all aspects of the speculative fiction genre in this country.
Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust
The Storylines Trust is a charitable body supporting Storylines’ programmes promoting the importance of reading for children and young adults, including the Storylines Festival and IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) activities. Friends of Storylines Nga Pou o te Whare Waituhi o Aotearoa is a membership organisation supporting the Storylines Trust.
Aotearoa’s leading Pacific arts organisation with a multidisciplinary focus, Tautai has been dedicated to the development and ongoing support of Pacific arts and artists across a range of art forms since the 1980s.
Te Hā- Contemporary Māori Writers
One of two Toi Māori Aotearoa Māori writers' committees (see Ngā Pou Kaituhi Māori above), Te Hā is a collective of senior writers in multiple genre working regionally to facilitate projects with national and international focus. The primary event for this committee is the Māori Writers Hui, which is held biennially in locations throughout Aotearoa.
An alliance of New Zealand’s creative industries aiming to develop an Action Plan, in partnership with Government, to accelerate the growth of the creative sector, leading to greater and more sustainable prosperity for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Young New Zealand Writers Group
The Young NZ Writers Group has a mission — to provide writing opportunities for New Zealand youth, with a view to growing a new cohort of readers and writers using speculative fiction as our vehicle. The convening team — Piper Mejia, Lee Murray and Jean Gilbert —produce two anthologies of children's speculative fiction annually, with free entry and every entrant receiving individual feedback on their work. They also run an annual Youth Day Out of 200 students and teachers (with writing development for both) and offer Scholarships to schools / students with hardship. Their website includes writing tips for young writers.