Books Alive
Programmed by literature experts, the engaging sessions for school groups are designed to drive a sense of belonging and relevance around books and reading for our tamariki and rangatahi.
Funding received from the Mātatuhi Foundation has enabled Books Alive to expand into new regions over the past two years, and in 2025 Palmerston North has been added to Wellington, Christchurch and Invercargill.
Scroll down for dates, programme details and booking information for each of these four centres.
All Books Alive events are FREE, but booking is essential.
Every student attending a Books Alive event will receive a print copy of the 2025 NZCYA finalist activity booklet, and copies of the featured finalists' books will be available for sale.
Palmerston North - Tuesday 22 July
Books Alive comes to Palmerston North for the first time in 2025, with an exciting programme of events aimed at students in upper primary and intermediate age groups (years 4-8).
The Books Alive day on Tuesday 22 July will run from 10am to 2pm, with events taking place at two central venues: Palmerston North City Library – Central Library (4 The Square) and the Globe Theatre (312 Main Street).
2025 finalists appearing at Books Alive Palmerston North are:
- Claire Mabey (The Raven’s Eye Runaways)
- David Riley (Black Magic)
- Ned Barraud (Ruru, Night Hunter)
- Rachael King (Violet and the Velvets: The Case of the Missing Stuff)
- Ruth Paul (You Can’t Pat a Fish)
To register your school group for the Books Alive day in Palmerston North, please complete this online form or email booksalive@nzbookawards.org.nz.
We encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure places for your school.
The 2025 Books Alive finalist event programme in Palmerston North is being organised by Alan Dingley, Sasha Eastwood, Rhonda Chenery and the Palmerston North City Library team. It is supported by funding from the Mātātuhi Foundation.
Invercargill - Wednesday 30 July
Books Alive Invercargill will take place on Wednesday 30 July, with a programme of events aimed at students in upper primary and intermediate age groups (years 4-8).
All events will be held at Centre Stage Theatre, 33 Don Street, Invercargill. A morning session will run from 10.00am to 11.30am, and an afternoon session will run from 1.00am to 2.30pm.
Books Alive Invercargill will feature four amazing writers who are 2025 finalists:
- Claire Mabey (The Raven’s Eye Runaways)
- Dahlia Malaeulu (Mataali‘i)
- Juliette MacIver (Beddy-bye Time in the Kōwhai Tree)
- Li Chen (Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat)
The Invercargill events have been designed so that schools attend either the morning or the afternoon session. All featured finalists will be appearing in both sessions.
Funding is available to schools to assist with the cost of transporting students to these events.
To register your school group for Books Alive events in Invercargill, please complete this online form or email booksalive@nzbookawards.org.nz.
We encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure places for your school.
The 2025 Books Alive finalist event programme in Invercargill is being organised for the New Zealand Book Awards Trust by Pauline Vaeluaga Smith, in collaboration with the Invercargill City Libraries team. It is made possible thanks to grants and support from Mātātuhi Foundation, Community Trust South, ILT, and ILT Foundation.
Christchurch - Friday 8 August
On Friday 8 August, WORD Christchurch will host Books Alive events at Te Aratai College (Te Puna Auditorium), 85 Aldwins Road, Phillipstown, Christchurch.
These events will be for students in upper primary and intermediate age groups (years 5-8). They have been designed so that schools can attend either the morning session or the afternoon session (or both).
SESSION 1 (morning): 10.00am – 11.00am
2025 finalists David Riley (Black Magic), Jane Arthur (Brown Bird) and Rachel Clare (Play Wild) will talk about their incredible shortlisted books, and answer questions from the audience. Followed by book signings/meet and greets with finalist authors & illustrators
SESSION 2 (afternoon): 12 noon – 1.00pm
2025 finalists Kiri Lightfoot (Bear), Juliette MacIver (Beddy-bye Time in the Kōwhai Tree) and Rachael King (Violet and the Velvets: The Case of the Missing Stuff) will talk about their incredible shortlisted books, and answer questions from the audience. Followed by book signings/meet and greets with finalist authors & illustrators
To register your school group for the WORD Christchurch Books Alive events, please complete this online form or email booksalive@nzbookawards.org.nz.
We encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure places for your school.
The 2025 Books Alive finalist event programme in Christchurch is being organised by the expert team at WORD Christchurch, alongside the New Zealand Book Awards Trust Te Ohu Tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa. It is supported by funding from the Mātātuhi Foundation.
Wellington - Wednesday 13 August
The Wellington Books Alive day will take place at Tiakiwai Conference Centre, National Library of New Zealand, Molesworth Street, Wellington, on Wednesday 13 August.
There will be sessions for upper primary, intermediate, and secondary school students.
Over 20 writers and illustrators who are finalists in the 2025 New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults will be appearing at the Wellington Books Alive events.
A varied programme will include behind-the-book talks, live drawing, workshops on writing and illustration, and lightning talk sessions. Schools that register for Wellington Books Alive events will be provided with individual schedules that are created especially for them, based on the ages and interests of students.
Groups are welcome to attend either morning or afternoon sessions only, or to come along for the whole day.
To register your school group for the Wellington Books Alive events, please complete this online form or email booksalive@nzbookawards.org.nz.
NOTE – Spaces at the Wellington Books Alive events are going fast. While spaces are still available both morning and afternoon sessions, we encourage you to register as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
The 2025 Books Alive finalist event programme in Wellington is being organised for the New Zealand Book Awards Trust by expert teams at Wellington City Libraries and the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, who is hosting sessions in its Tiakiwai Conference Centre. It is supported by funding from the Mātātuhi Foundation, Wellington City Libraries and Wellington City Council.