OPPORTUNITIES

• The NZ Society of Authors Mentor Programme is open for applications until 01 Feb 2026

ANNOUNCED 

• The Randell Cottage Writers Trust has announced essa may ranapiri has been selected as Aotearoa New Zealand Writer-in-Residence for 2026
• You may have seen our very own Simie Simpson is leading the judging panel for the 2026 Children's Book Awards. Simmie has a crack team with her, and we're eagerly anticipating the awards news this year.
• Storylines have announced their 2026 hui, which will be held in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland over 3-4 October at Dilworth School. Illustrator Donovan Bixley and  Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador Kate De Goldi are to be the keynote speakers. (and shoutout to our friends at Kete for having such an excellent repository of bookish happenings: we love pointing people your way)

HAPPENING

• Wellington City Libraries are once again running their epic Summer Reading Adventure, until the 31st of January. It's open to all, young people and grown adults alike.
• The Ministry of Education, Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga have teamed up with Duffy books to run Read with Me, a reading challenge for young people.
• Our own Teachers Reading Challenge is also underway with over 1200 participating teachers and over 150 books being logged each day. Check out the leaderboard or make a heroic late bid for the top of the table now.
• A Romantic Adventure is on in Ōtautahi Christchurch on the 14th of March, this a romance specific book event featuring local and international signing authors.
• Hamlit have announced their programme and there are some incredible things happening, just try not to book in for all of them.
• Over in the UK, the National Literacy Trust and partners have announced 2026 is the National Year of Reading. It's an exciting campaign centered around mahi that is dear to our hearts, so we're eagerly keeping an eye on what they unveil. 

If you have something you wish was on this list, email communications@read-nz.org with your request. We're happy to include relevant items.