Posts tagged with reading

Kate outside the main door to the National Library in Wellington.

Reading panel — Thriving as a nation of readers: Strengthening school reading communities

October 5th, 2026. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Kate De Goldi chaired a panel of speakers at the National Library on the topic ‘Why reading for pleasure matters and why strengthening our school reading communities is so important’. Watch a recording of the event.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
Kate De Goldi, seated with 4 other panellists, takes questions at a National Library panel event.

Reading around Aotearoa New Zealand

September 4th, 2026. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

For the last few months, Kate De Goldi has spoken about the power and impact of reading for pleasure and reading aloud at schools through Storylines tours, festivals, events, conferences and in the media.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
Colourful illustrated taniwha reading a teal book. Text reads New Zealand Children's Book Week, 15–21 August.

Reading for pleasure: More important than ever

July 17th, 2026. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Come along to a free public talk in Dunedin with Kate De Goldi to celebrate NZ's first Children's Book Week and the power of reading.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
4 people in black t-shirts display colourful children's books at an outdoor literacy promotion stall under a blue marquee.

Thriving as a nation of readers: Strengthening school reading communities

July 1st, 2026. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Join us for a panel event celebrating the power of reading with Kate De Goldi and guests.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
A parent and baby reading a book together.

Reading to your children — at home, or in class

May 7th, 2026. By Kate De Goldi

The educational and developmental advantages for the child who is read aloud to and with are now very clear. In this post, I explain why reading aloud matters and share some great read-alouds.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Covers of a collection of books by Louise Erdrich.

Holiday reading with Louise Erdrich

March 16th, 2026. By Kate De Goldi

Reading during a holiday brings precious time to really sink into a good book. In this post, I write about summer reading in my 16th year and the joys of reading series.

Te Awhi Rito blog
3 vintage children's book covers 'Millions of Cats', 'The Cow Who Fell in the Canal' and 'C'est le Printemps Jeanne-Marie'.

The books that made me a reader

December 11th, 2025. By Kate De Goldi

In this post, I talk about a few of the countless books that pinned me to the page and whetted the appetite for more and more.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Covers of books mentioned in Kate De Goldi's blog post 'Reading in the classroom: what are we looking for?'

Reading in the classroom: What are we looking for? Part 1

November 12th, 2025. By Kate De Goldi

Recently, at the New Zealand Literacy Association Conference, I facilitated a session on reading for pleasure in the classroom.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Covers of books to inspire teen readers mentioned in Kate De Goldi's blog post 'Conversations and reading and books'.

Conversations about reading and books

September 19th, 2025. By Kate De Goldi

In the last few weeks, I’ve been touring schools, writing articles, participating in, and sharing titles to inspire at WORD in Ōtautahi, and reading all the while.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Cover of the book ‘The Fat Man’ by Maurice Gee.

Kate De Goldi on rereading Maurice Gee

July 10th, 2025. By Kate De Goldi

It seems fitting to begin this blog with the rereading I’ve been doing since hearing of Maurice Gee’s death.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Kate De Goldi sitting at a table in a garden.

Welcome to my reading-for-pleasure blog

July 10th, 2025. By Kate De Goldi

Welcome to this reading-for-pleasure blog, which I’ll be writing over the next two years as part of my Te Awhi Rito | Reading Ambassador role.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Kate De Goldi.

Kate De Goldi named next Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador

April 17th, 2025. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Kate De Goldi has been named the third Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
Alan Dingley speaking during his final pānui as Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador.

Alan Dingley — Te pānui o Te Awhi Rito: Reading is the doorway

April 11th, 2025. By Alan Dingley

Watch a recording of Alan Dingley's final pānui as the second Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Te Awhi Rito Alan Dingley smiling and standing by the Te Kopuru School gate.

Te pānui o Te Awhi Rito: Alan Dingley

February 25th, 2025. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Join us at this special event to hear Alan Dingley’s reflections as he nears the end of his term as Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
A very tall ladder going up towards the sky.

Don’t get hung up on the rung

February 11th, 2025. By Alan Dingley

When children read what they enjoy, they are more likely to develop a positive attitude towards reading.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Te Awhi Rito logo green harakeke on white background.

Nominations for Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador 2025–2027

November 29th, 2024. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Nominations are now open for Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador 2025–2027.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
Event advertisement featuring logos for Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation, Te Awhi Rito and The Wheeler Centre. Includes photo of Sally Rippin and Reading Ambassador Alan Dingley.

The Need to Read: Sally Rippin and Alan Dingley in conversation

October 4th, 2024. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Watch Australian Children’s Laureate Sally Rippin and Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador Alan Dingley as they share their unique perspectives on the importance of reading for children and young people.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
Julia Smith and 2 students from Kerikeri High School with Alan Dingley.

A Reading Ambassador: Being the spark

September 18th, 2024. By Alan Dingley

Being a Reading Ambassador in New Zealand is a role full of joy and fulfilment.

Te Awhi Rito blog
A display of chapter books.

Chapter quest

June 24th, 2024. By Alan Dingley

Chapter books are a vital step in any reader's journey. Join me as I offer tailored recommendations.

Te Awhi Rito blog
An exciting display of books recommended for boys.

Books for boys unleashed: Some tailored recommendations

March 27th, 2024. By Alan Dingley

I regularly get asked for book recommendations and one of the most requested are those for boys.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador Alan Dingley speaking on stage to a group of students.

Inspiring readers around the motu

March 13th, 2024. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

‘Connection is key. I hope to see as many of you as possible on the incredible journey.’

Te Awhi Rito news and events
A selection of books on display. Includes 'The Fix-It Man', 'The Bad Seed,' 'My Elephant is Blue', 'A Monster Call'.

Books as balm

February 23rd, 2024. By Alan Dingley

I have thought about titles I have come across in my librarianship that have served a purpose when words have failed in tough situations.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Alan Dingley at Te Kopuru School.

Events, awards and school sessions

November 10th, 2023. By Alan Dingley

In his latest post, Alan reflects on his busy September and October.

Te Awhi Rito blog
View of the He Ara Kotahi bridge in Palmerston North.

Te Awhi Rito out and about

August 21st, 2023. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Since starting as Te Awhi Rito at the end of May, Alan has had a busy schedule of events and started a new role as Community Librarian at Te Patikitiki Highbury Library in Palmerston North.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
Alan Dingley holding a book and walking between shelving at the National Library Auckland centre.

A call to action

July 11th, 2023. By Alan Dingley

Alan Dingley, Aotearoa New Zealand's new Reading Ambassador, has a call to action for us all. Let's create a nation of readers!

Te Awhi Rito blog
Ben Brown, inaugural New Zealand Reading Ambassador, standing between shelving in a library.

Reading for life

June 16th, 2023. By Ben Brown

What an extraordinary two years as Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Inaugural Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador Ben Brown with new ambassador Alan Dingley in a library.

Honouring Ben Brown and welcoming Alan Dingley

June 15th, 2023. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

The National Library in Wellington held a special gathering to honour and acknowledge Ben Brown as he finishes his term as Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador and to welcome Alan Dingley as the next Te Awhi Rito.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador Alan Dingley stands in front of a group of students.

School librarian to be the next Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador

March 29th, 2023. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Alan Dingley, School Librarian at Palmerston North Intermediate School, has been named as the next Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador for children and young people.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
Ben Brown, the inaugural Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador, presenting his pānui at the National Library. Photo by Mark Beatty.

Ben Brown — Te pānui o Te Awhi Rito: Te hā, te kupu, te kōrero

February 20th, 2023. By Ben Brown

Ben reflects on the power of stories and his time as the inaugural Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Te Awho Rito Reading Ambassador logo.

Community and Te Awhi Rito supporting ‘rito’ to engage with reading

February 10th, 2023. By Ben Brown

In this video, Ben talks about the metaphor of Te Awhi Rito, the role of nurturing and inspiring the ‘rito’ — the young shoot, the children of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Te Awhi Rito logo green harakeke on white background.

Nominations for Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador 2023–2025

December 13th, 2022. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Nominations are now closed for Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador 2023–2025.

Te Awhi Rito news and events
Staircase inside Tūranga — Christchurch Central Library.

Libraries: Embassies of reading

December 7th, 2022. By Ben Brown

In this video, Ben talks about libraries — embassies of reading.

Te Awhi Rito blog
Photo of the children's area at Tūranga (Christchurch Central Library). Photo by Sgerbic, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Tūranga and the value of public libraries

November 11th, 2022. By Ben Brown

In this video, Ben introduces Tūranga (Christchurch Central Library) and talks about the value public libraries provide.

Te Awhi Rito blog
View down through bush to baches next to tidal inlet.

A summertime story

November 2nd, 2022. By Ben Brown

For school students, Summer is a long holiday season. Fun in the sun. Six weeks down time from the books with the potential for a ‘summer slide’ in reading engagement.

Te Awhi Rito blog
The Motueka River.

When I was a boy

September 8th, 2022. By Ben Brown

The first in a series of posts about Ben's reading role models. Ben looks back on Joe Doyle, one of the reading role models that inspired him.

Te Awhi Rito blog