Te Awhi Rito news and events

Keep up to date with news and events about and related to Te Awhi Rito, including opportunities to hear Ben in action.

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.’

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.

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 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 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.

Ben Brown at Waimana School on Whakatane visit.

Te Awhi Rito: The year that was – 2021–2022

August 25th, 2022. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

In his first year as Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador, Ben toured Aotearoa New Zealand sharing stories and highlighting connections between storytelling, reading aloud and reading.

Ben Brown at the National Library in Auckland.

Stories are everything

August 9th, 2022. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Ben Brown features in a short documentary championing the importance of stories and reading.

Ben Brown and Elena De Roo on the Storylines Northland Story Tour.

Ben Brown on the Northland Story Tour

July 6th, 2022. By Anne Dickson

In June, Ben spent a week visiting schools on the Storylines Northland Story Tour.

Ben holding a yellow umbrella in front of a Phantom poster with his tauparapara.

Tauparapara o Te Awhi Rito and Phantom posters

June 14th, 2022. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Keep an eye out for Ben Brown's tauparapara on posters in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Ben Brown inaugural Te Awhi Rito Ambassador.

Interviews with Ben Brown

April 12th, 2022. By Te Awhi Rito team, National Library

Here are some interviews with and about Te Awhi Rito Ben Brown.

2 Huntly College students speaking at the Celebration of Reading event.

New Zealand Reading Ambassador will champion the importance of reading

August 10th, 2020. By Services to Schools staff

The New Zealand Reading Ambassador role will champion the importance of reading in the lives of young New Zealanders, their whānau and communities.