Storylines is delighted to present a two-day programme of writing and illustrating workshops, panels, pitch slams, social networking and the celebrated Literary Banquet!
Storylines Hui Registrations will close on Sunday 13 September
Registration link here.
Literary Banquet tickets link here. $45 per person.
Workshops have capped numbers so get in early and check your membership is current.
The speakers are: Giselle Clarkson, Graci Kim, Elizabeth Knox, Josh Morgan (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Pākehā), Juliette MacIver, Sacha Cotter, James Russell, Eileen Merriman, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa, Ngai Tahu), Gavin Bishop ((Tainui, Ngāti Awa), Maria Gill, Melinda Szymanik, Sally Sutton, Swapna Haddow, Li Chen, Claire Mabey, Gemma Finlay (Notable PR) and Zak Waipara (Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāti Kahungunu) and Roger Christensen (Little Unity). Our exciting key speakers, as advertised earlier, are Kate de Goldi and Donovan Bixley.
See our exciting programme below and read about the workshop descriptions and speaker bios.
When: 3-4 October 2026
Where: Dilworth Senior School Campus, 3 Erin Street, Epsom, Auckland.
Who: Open to all professional or aspiring authors and illustrators for children and young adults.
Cost: Storylines members: $455.00
Non-Storylines members: $505.00 (join/renew Storylines membership)
Early Bird pricing ended 5 July 2026.
All tickets include 2 x lunches, 2 x morning teas, 1 x afternoon tea and the Saturday night Literary Banquet.
Pitch slam: Scholastic NZ, Penguin Random House NZ, Little Moa, Oratia, Bateman Books and Allen & Unwin.
STORYLINES LITERARY BANQUET
Celebrate an unforgettable evening at the Storylines Saturday Night Banquet!
We’re thrilled to welcome an exceptional line-up of speakers- Graci Kim, Sam Smith, Tim Tipene, and Donovan Bixley – who will entertain, inspire and share stories from their creative journeys.
Enjoy a delicious two-course dinner with refreshments while connecting with fellow writers, illustrators, librarians, educators, publishers and book lovers from across Aotearoa NZ. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax, celebrate children’s literature and be part of one of the conference’s most anticipated events.
The banquet begins at 6.15pm on Saturday 3 October at Dilworth Senior School Campus, Auckland.
Banquet tickets can be purchased separately, or are included with your conference registration. Book early and join us for an evening of great food, inspiring conversation, and memorable company!
Download your copy of the programme
Storylines would like to thank the sponsors who have helped to make this hui possible.
Feedback from previous attendee's
Toby Morris (illustrator/ author): “The previous Storylines Hui was my first one, and I loved it. The talks were interesting and helpful, and I met lots of lovely people who care about this same specific thing I do – it’s a very welcoming, encouraging community that I was very happy to find. If you haven’t been before I strongly recommend it!”
Emma Hinton (first timer at a Storylines’ hui in 2022): “I found gold when a friend told me about the Storylines hui. Several days of talking picture books with people creating them, a dream for a lifetime collector and aspiring writer. Even more so, the weeks and years spent writing with a hope to someday hold your story? It was a welcome relief to discover a tribe of fellow rainbow dreamers and creative doers.”