RNZ

Chertsey Book Barn

18 Jan 2026

We're off now to meet another bookshop owner - one who sells pre-loved books. Reviews of the shop we're visiting today say it's a 'treasure trove a books at great prices' and 'a maze of books" -… Audio

Barbara Else - Much-loved author wins top award

17 Jan 2026

Barbara Else is a New Zealand writer, editor, and playwright who has written for both children and adults. Late last year she received a Prime Minister's Award for literary achievement. It's one more… Audio

The Dickensian Book Store in Featherston

17 Jan 2026

Last summer on Summer Weekends we travelled around the country visiting preloved bookshops and met their owners. It seemed a lot of you had your favourites that we didn't manage to get to - so we're… Audio

Book Recommendations to start the year with Lisa Adler

16 Jan 2026

Lisa Adler joins Maggie Tweedie and Mark Williams on the show with some book recommendations for the new year. Audio

After an epic journey, the Riley family's world was shaken

16 Jan 2026

A hundred years ago two missionaries lapped Australia in a tiny car with barely the power of a mower. An Aussie family followed their journey.

One children's author sweeps Gisborne's most-borrowed books list

14 Jan 2026

Dav Pilkey wrote all five of Gisborne's most-borrowed library books last year.

Why the Heated Rivalry TV series understands gay men better than the book

14 Jan 2026

Based on the popular novel by Rachel Reid, the TV series follows the sexual encounters and budding romance of two closeted athletes,

Pastor and Author David Riley On The First Journey Around Australia By Car

13 Jan 2026

Pastor Author David Riley speaks about the year he spent roadtripping with his young family around Australia in a caravan and his new book 'Bubsie and the Boys' which traces the steps of two… Audio

Festival director quits as authors, including Ardern, drop out

13 Jan 2026

The event has been caught in days of furore after a scheduled appearance by a Palestinian-Australian author was cancelled.

Aotearoa's best hidden swim spots with Nicola McCloy

12 Jan 2026

It's time to grab your togs and towel. Swimming enthusiast Nicola McCloy joins Anna returns to the studio to share more of the country's best and hidden swimming spots. They're all detailed in her… Audio

Good Things Come and Go, Josie Shapiro

12 Jan 2026

Best-selling New Zealand writer Josie Shapiro's second novel Good Things Come and Go has been met with rave reviews.Named by The Listener as one of the best books of 2025 it follows three 40 year olds… Audio

How to get yourself out of a reading rut

9 Jan 2026

Has a screen stolen your love of books and left you in a no book zone you can't get out of?

17-year-old author Rutendo Shadaya set to complete five-part series

7 Jan 2026

Rutendo Shadaya is a 17-year-old Zimbabwean-Aotearoa recently named as one of 10 'Girls of the Year' for 2025 in the Times' inaugaural list. Hailing from the small North Island town of Tokoroa… Audio

Ten of the best literary chats of 2025

27 Dec 2025

RNZ met with authors from around the literary world this year, taking in famous fictional sleuths, true life murders, medical mysteries and dystopian futures.

What’s on your summer reading list? We asked six dedicated readers

26 Dec 2025

Summer reading is often characterised as paperback romance or detective fiction. And it is that. But it's also anything your tired, finally well-rested brain wants to apply itself to in the sunnier…

The Good Story in Akaroa

22 Dec 2025

While Spotify has revolutionised the way we listen to music, online shopping has done the same for retail, not to mention books. More and more people are buying online, so what's it like running a… Audio