New Zealanders love to kick back with a good book. And with the country brimming with talented writers and compelling books, there’s plenty of local stories to help immerse yourself in the rich reading culture of Aotearoa.

A rich culture of storytelling

Storytelling lies at the heart of New Zealand's history and culture. For the indigenous Māori people, oral storytelling has been a sacred practice, weaving together myths, legends and ancestral narratives that connect them to the land and their ancestors. These stories not only impart wisdom and moral lessons but also embody the essence of Māori identity and spirituality. Similarly, in the broader New Zealand context, storytelling has helped to shape the nation's collective memory, from the tales of early explorers and settlers to the diverse voices that reflect society today.

A vibrant publishing scene

Aotearoa boasts a flourishing publishing industry that has highlighted the talents of both established and emerging authors. In the annals of New Zealand literature, revered authors like Katherine Mansfield, whose evocative classic short stories from the early 1900s continue to resonate with readers worldwide, stand alongside contemporary voices like Eleanor Catton, whose novel The Luminaries won the prestigious Man Booker Prize.

Whether you're drawn to contemporary fiction, historical epics or thought-provoking poetry, there's something for every reader. Explore these books on the Libby app that showcase the diverse voices that define Kiwi literature.

New Zealand authors

Margaret Mahy

Margaret Mahy by Tessa Duder (biography)

The Gargling Gorilla

Footsteps Through the Fog

Katherine Mansfield

The Garden Party and Other Stories by Lorna Sage, Katherine Mansfield

Bliss and Other Stories

All Sorts of Lives by Claire Harman (biography)

Janet Frame

Faces in the Water

Owls Do Cry

Tamsyn Muir

Gideon the Ninth (Locked Tomb #1)

Audiobook version

Catherine Chidgey

Pet

The Axeman's Carnival (Winner of the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction in 2023)

Barry Crump

Wild Pork and Watercress

Eleanor Catton

Birnam Wood

The Luminaries (Winner of the Man Booker Prize)

Fiona Kidman

This Mortal Boy

So Far, For Now

Bernard Beckett

August

The Tunnel of Dreams (YA)

Heather Morris

Cilka’s Journey

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Kay O’Neill

The Tea Dragon Society (juvenile graphic novel series)

Aquicorn Cove by Kay O’Neill (juvenile graphic novel)

Nonfiction about NZ

Dunedin: The City in Literature by Christine Johnston

Wellington: The City in Literature by Kate Camp

Island of the Lost by Joan Druett

Maori

Once Were Warriors by Alan Duff

Purakau: Maori Myths Retold by Maori Writers

Maori authors

Potiki by Patricia Grace

Te Kaihau by Keri Hulme

*Title availability may vary by library and region.

Support local authors by reading a homegrown book on the Libby reading app from your local library.

📧 Subscribe to the Libby Life newsletter for more reading recommendations delivered to your inbox every week.