A busy start: Kate in the media, at upcoming events

July 18th, 2025. By Kate De Goldi

Our new Reading Ambassador, Kate De Goldi, has had a busy start to her tenure. She's already written 2 blog posts and featured in RNZ and ‘New Zealand Listener’ articles. She has events planned in August, including public talks in Motueka and Hamilton.

Reading-for-pleasure blog posts

Over the 2 years of her term, Kate will be writing a reading-for-pleasure blog. While writing about her reading ‘across the arc of a reading life’, she also plans to offer thoughts on reading’s place across the evolving ages and stages of our lives.

Read more about her aims for her reading-for-pleasure blog and her thoughts on rereading Maurice Gee.

In the media

Kate's recent Te Awhi Rito media appearances include:

Upcoming events

In August, Kate will be visiting schools in the Tasman and Waikato regions as part of ReadNZ’s Writers in Schools programme.

While there, she'll also deliver public talks in Motueka and Hamilton.

Why reading and story matter

Motueka

Date and time: Wednesday 6 August, 4pm to 5pm

Where: Motueka Library Te Noninga Kumu, 32 Wallace St, Motueka, 7120

Cost: Free — RSVP required, email: reading-ambassador@dia.govt.nz

Hamilton

Date and time: Monday 11 August, 4pm to 5pm

Where: Te Kete Aronui | Rototuna Library, 30 North City Road (carpark access off Korikori Green)

Cost: Free — RSVP required, email: reading-ambassador@dia.govt.nz

About the talks

Join Aotearoa New Zealand’s third Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador, Kate De Goldi,at an event celebrating the power of reading.

Reading helps young people navigate in an increasingly complex world. But, reading for pleasure is declining across every age group in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Hear Kate talk about the myriad pleasures of story and language and why reading for pleasure is crucial for children, young people and their communities. She will also talk about the Awhi Rito role, libraries and how we might all thrive as a nation of readers.

Part of an event poster titled ‘Why reading and story matter’ with a photo of Kate De Goldi. See 'About the talks' on the page for words in the poster.