Diane Hebley writes books for children, and has published key studies about New Zealand children’s literature. She holds a PhD in New Zealand children’s fiction from the University of Waikato, from which followed the publication of her critically acclaimed The Power of Place: Landscape in New Zealand Children’s Fiction 1970–1989.
 
Diane lives in the Hawke’s Bay with her husband, artist Gary Hebley.
 

Selected bibliography:

• Off the Shelf: Twenty-one Years of New Zealand Books for Children (Methuen 1980).
• A is for Albatross illustrated by Gary Hebley (Methuen 1981).
• High on a Hilltop illustrated by Gary Hebley (Methuen 1984).
• The Gully that Gabriel Found: The First Big Gold Rush illustrated by Gary Hebley (HAP 1985).
• Jock Mackenzie and His Dog illustrated by Gary Hebley (HAP 1986).
• The Ballad of Young Nick: How He Sailed with Captain Cook from Plymouth to Botany Bay, 1768–70 illustrated by Gary Hebley (HAP 1987).
• The Power of Place: Landscape in New Zealand Children’s Fiction, 1970–1989 (University of Otago Press 1998). 

Awards:

• CLA Services to Children’s Literature Award 1997 (now the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award).
• LIANZA Young People’s Non-Fiction Award 1988 Shortlist for The Ballad of Young Nick.