Summertime Reading

Mānuka Stories

When the mānuka is in bloom, it’s time to read

The mānuka signifies for Māori, the connection we have as people to the whenua | land and how important this sense of place is to who we are people. The environment was also seen as the ultimate storyteller for our ancestors so the mānuka is a reflection of that relationship that is interwoven into the campaignIt requires us to nurture and care for the mānuka, just as storytelling and reading does for our own learning and growth.

Grounded in mātauranga Māori, the mānuka is also a symbol of challenge, often seen during pōwhiri | welcome ceremony as it is laid in front of the visitors to accept.

It is a literal challenge to accept which aligns with the competition and activity-based elements in the campaign. The summertime element is reflected through the flowering season of the mānuka which is between December and January. A natural indicator for summer time so when the mānuka is in bloom, it’s time to read.

Summertime Reading

It was a summer filled with stories, adventures, and endless imagination! 

Our Summertime Reading Challenge from 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2025 gave kids and teens the chance to win cool prizes.

They could complete the challenges in so many different ways - from writing a letter to a friend, to reading by torchlight, and so many more!

Find exciting reads, eBooks, audiobooks and magazines at our libraries to help you on your quest - Join the library!

Featured

Summertime Reading Challenge 2024 / 2025 winners

Thanks to everyone who entered the Summertime Reading Challenge this year. We had 1321 entries! See our list of prize winners.

How to enter

It's super easy! Just follow these simple steps:

  1. Grab your challenge card: Pick one up at your local library or download a copy
  2. Complete at least three challenges
  3. Submit your entry: Drop your challenge card into your local library or enter online.

Prizes

The prizes include:

  • $300 bike voucher
  • Vouchers from Scorpio Books
  • Orana Park family passes
  • Airforce Museum experience vouchers
  • Pool passes
  • and small prize bundles

Events

There will be plenty of free, fun Summertime Reading events running over the summer. Join us as we bring the magic of reading and storytelling to cool places like parks, pools, playgrounds, and your local library. Plus, keep an eye out for our library van - it might just pop up at your favourite hangouts.

Make sure you come along and join in on the fun!

Stories come to life at the library. Nau mai tauti mai.

Summertime Reading calendar

Summertime Reading events

No related upcoming events.

Featured

Summertime Reading nooks

Libraries are making reading nooks - cosy or cool places to do some Summertime Reading! This one is at New Brighton Library.

Library closures or changes in hours or services

Jul 12, 2025
Check for the latest information on changes in opening hours or closures.

Join us for school holiday fun and learning

Come to the library in the school holidays for bookable programmes and free drop-in activities.

Information for Schools

Go in the draw to win prizes for your school! Write a letter to your favourite character and illustrate your own story.

Postcard and Posters

About the Summertime Reading Challenge

Limited-edition tote bag with Gavin Bishop artwork $20

Need to carry those lovely library books home? This limited-edition tote with artwork by Gavin Bishop is available at your local library.

What your kid's teacher wishes you knew - holiday reading

What is the "summer slide" and how can you keep it from impacting on your child's literacy?

Summertime Reading for kids

Booklists for Kids

Find and read a book written or illustrated by Gavin Bishop

Complete a challenge for the 24/25 Summertime Reading Challenge with any of these books!

Gavin Bishop in Te Reo Māori

Complete two challenges for the 24/25 Summertime Reading Challenge. Read a book by Gavin Bishop and reading a book in Te Reo Māori!

Change for the better: Plastic Free July

Find out how to do your bit in the global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.

New For You - Children's - June 2025

A selection of new fiction and nonfiction for older children.

EAudiobooks

eAudiobooks for kids

Find eAudiobooks for kids and listen to new stories and old favourites.

AWA - New shared digital collection

May 30, 2025
We’re excited to let you know we’ve partnered with Selwyn Libraries to offer our members a shared digital collection for a two year trial.

Our Wheeler's ePlatform eBook collection is on the move

Jun 16, 2025
Our Wheeler's ePlatform eBook collection is moving to BorrowBox on 8 July. Great content in two formats, in one place.

Recommended for Kids

Most Popular in 2024: Tamariki - Kids

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No brainer by Jeff Kinney takes out first place. See the top 20 most popular pukapuka for tamariki in 2024!

Best of 2024 for Kids

Our selectors have picked the best books of 2024 for tamariki. Have a browse and find a great read!

Reading Recommendations for Tamariki

Librarians recommend the best books for tamariki on a variety of topics - fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, & more for kids of all ages.

Summertime Reading for teens

Booklists for Teens

Best of 2024: Young Adult

Our selectors pick the best books for teens.

2025 Eisner Awards - Nominees

The Awards are given out in more than two-dozen categories covering the best publications and creators of the previous year.

Homegrown - Papanui YA

A resource to find some of our wonderful NZ authors.

EAudiobooks

Our Wheeler's ePlatform eBook collection is on the move

Jun 16, 2025
Our Wheeler's ePlatform eBook collection is moving to BorrowBox on 8 July. Great content in two formats, in one place.

AWA - New shared digital collection

May 30, 2025
We’re excited to let you know we’ve partnered with Selwyn Libraries to offer our members a shared digital collection for a two year trial.

Audie Awards - 2025 winners and finalists

The Audie Awards® is the premier awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment.

Return to Reading

A selection of books or ages 18 plus - perfect for rediscovering your love of reading.

Return to Reading: New Adult Sci-Fi

Dive into a thrilling sci-fi adventure where technology and humanity collide.

Return to Reading: New Adult Adventure

Discover a thrilling collection of adventure fiction designed to captivate and ignite your imagination.

Return to Reading: New Adult Horror

Dive into a chilling collection of horror fiction crafted for rediscovering the thrill of reading.

Return to Reading: New Adult Historical

Step into the past with this captivating collection of historical fiction, tailored for rediscovering the joy of reading.

Recommended for Teens

Most Popular in 2024: Rangatahi - Teens

Sarah J. Maas, Suzanne Collins, and Holly Jackson dominate this year! See what books were popular with teens.

Teen literary prizes and awards

Find winners and nominees for a range of prizes and awards for older children's, teens' and young adult books.

Reading Recommendations - Teens

Explore fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, rainbow reads and more - all made for rangatahi. Find your next favourite read at the library.

Author interviews for Kids and Teens

Read interviews with authors - how do they create characters and make awesome stories.

Summertime Reading nooks

Libraries are making reading nooks - cosy or cool places to do some Summertime Reading! This one is at New Brighton Library.

Featured

Christmas

Links and information about the Christmas holidays - events, food, crafts, music, reading and more!

Bilingual Story Cards

Ignite imagination and improve literacy with our bilingual story cards for tamariki - at libraries for $19 for a pack of 60 cards.

Join us for school holiday fun and learning

Come to the library in the school holidays for bookable programmes and free drop-in activities.

Join the library. It's free!

It is free to join the library. You can join the library online or at a library.

Single Button Module

JOIN NOW
Back to Top