Welcome to Storylines
He whakaoho kaipānui, he tautoko kaituhi, kaitā hoki
Inspiring young readers by supporting writers and illustrators
Storylines champions reading for pleasure and access to high-quality literature for children and young people across Aotearoa New Zealand. We support the writers and illustrators who create these stories, while inspiring tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau to discover the joy and lifelong benefits of reading Aotearoa New Zealand books.
OUR LATEST NEWS
FEATURED
Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day 2026
📚 Book your tickets here for the Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day Join us as we celebrate the extraordinary writers, illustrators and champions of
Februarys Aotearoa Children’s Junior Fiction and Young Adult Bestseller List
Each month, the Aotearoa Children’s Junior Fiction and Young Adults Bestseller List highlights the bestselling junior fiction and young adult titles by New Zealand writers.
Storylines Children’s Writers and Illustrators’ National Hui 2026 Registration
Member Early Access Registration It’s finally here — and Storylines members are first in line! 🎉✨ Members now have exclusive early access to register for
Reading matters
Reading to and with young people of all ages is crucial to their development, not just their reading skills. National Library outlines just how important it is, and why reading matters to young people of all ages. It highlights how, as a reading role model, whānau has a big influence on their child’s or teenager’s interest in reading outside school. One of the best ways whānau can help is through fostering a love of reading — beginning at birth.
Story Tours -BOOK NOW
In 2026, we will further deepen and broaden our focus on disadvantaged, rural and ethnically diverse communities, ensuring we reach even more tamariki and rangatahi who will benefit most from our visits. To achieve this, each tour will now include five writer/illustrator presenters – which also means… a bigger van!
The additional presenter will be fluent in te reo Māori, have published in te reo and will visit kura kaupapa & bilingual units as part of the expanded programme.
Videos and Tip Sheets - Member-only
Storylines members enjoy exclusive access to a growing library of video content offering behind-the-scenes insights into the creative and writing processes of some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading children’s and YA writers and illustrators. Members can also explore our Top Ten Tips sheets, packed with practical advice for writers and illustrators, created by some of the country’s most respected creatives.
Our latest addition comes from author Swapna Haddow: Top Ten Tips for Writing Graphic Novels.
Our Supporters
Other organisations
Other organisations who share our objective of promoting books and reading in New Zealand include:
