Story Circle at Te Manawa Delights Young Readers
The Storylines Story Circle at Te Manawa Library, Auckland on Friday 2 October attracted a younger audience, who delighted in an afternoon of stories, laughter and literary fun with some of Aotearoa’s much-loved children’s authors and illustrators.
More than 200 children and families joined Sacha Cotter, Josh Morgan, Melinda Szymanik, Donovan Bixley and Swapna Haddow for an entertaining session of stories, illustrations and song.
With books available from Dorothy Butler Bookshop and plenty of creative fun from Fairy Tale and Fun Faces, it was a wonderful celebration of books, reading and the joy of sharing stories together.
Storylines thanks Te Manawa Library, Kiwi Christmas Books, Dorothy Butler Bookshop, Fairy Tale and Fun Faces and everyone who came along to make the afternoon such a success.
Storylines National Hui was ‘an absolute blast’
What a weekend! Around 180 children’s and young adult writers and illustrators came together at Dilworth School in Auckland on 3–4 October for the biggest Storylines National Hui yet.
The 2026 hui brought together published and aspiring writers and illustrators from across Aotearoa for two days of inspiration, learning, sharing and connection.
From masterclasses and workshops to lively panels and the always-popular Pitch Slam, there was plenty on offer. The Pitch Slams, giving participants the chance to pitch their ideas to editors from leading publishing houses, sold out within weeks.
A particular highlight was a keynote from Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador Kate De Goldi, who delivered a powerful call to action about the importance of reading for children and the need to reverse the continuing decline in reading ability and reading for pleasure.
The hui also featured an impressive line-up of leading New Zealand and internationally published authors and illustrators, including Graci Kim, Gavin Bishop, Donovan Bixley, Swapna Haddow, Li Chen, Giselle Clarkson and Eileen Merriman, along with recent Margaret Mahy Book of the Year winners Josh Morgan and Sacha Cotter.
Saturday night’s Literary Banquet was another highlight, with more than 200 guests enjoying an evening of food, friendship and entertainment provided by writers themselves, including Sam Smith, Donovan Bixley, Tessa Duder, Tim Tipene and Graci Kim.
For veteran author Tessa Duder, who attended the very first hui in 1992 at Joy Cowley’s home in the Marlborough Sounds, the 2026 gathering was something special.
With its energy, generosity and sense of community, the 2026 National Hui was a celebration of the people creating stories for Aotearoa’s tamariki and rangatahi — and, in Tessa’s words, “an absolute blast.”
Storylines is delighted to present a two-day programme of writing and illustrating workshops, panels, pitch slams, social networking and the celebrated Literary Banquet!
The speakers are: Giselle Clarkson, Graci Kim, Rachael Craw, 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.
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.”