Introducing our Keynote Speakers
Ruth Shaw
Ruth Shaw runs a cluster of three wee bookshops in remote Manapōuri in the far south of Aotearoa New Zealand. She lives with her husband, Lance. In 2022 she published her first memoir, The Bookseller at the End of the World, which has
since become a critically acclaimed national and international treasure. It has been translated into Italian, Dutch, German, Turkish, Chinese, Swedish, Russian, Slovakian, Korean, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese and Hungarian. Her second book Bookshop Dogs came out in October 2023 and instantly became a NZ bestseller. It was published in both the UK and in the US in late 2024 and is translated into Italian and Russian.
Ruth is proudly sponsored by Accessit Software.
Ruth Shaw runs a cluster of three wee bookshops in remote Manapōuri in the far south of Aotearoa New Zealand. She lives with her husband, Lance. In 2022 she published her first memoir, The Bookseller at the End of the World, which has
since become a critically acclaimed national and international treasure. It has been translated into Italian, Dutch, German, Turkish, Chinese, Swedish, Russian, Slovakian, Korean, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese and Hungarian. Her second book Bookshop Dogs came out in October 2023 and instantly became a NZ bestseller. It was published in both the UK and in the US in late 2024 and is translated into Italian and Russian.
Ruth is proudly sponsored by Accessit Software.
Sonya Wilson
Award-winning novelist and former TVNZ journalist. Author of Spark Hunter and The Secret Green.
Sonya is proudly sponsored by Oliver Softlink
Award-winning novelist and former TVNZ journalist. Author of Spark Hunter and The Secret Green.
Sonya is proudly sponsored by Oliver Softlink
Kyle Mewburn
Kyle Mewburn is one of New Zealand's most eclectic and prolific writers. With over 70 published titles, from picture books and junior fiction, to memoir and historical fiction, her work has been translated into eighteen languages and won numerous awards.
Kyle is proudly sponsored by Book Protection Products.
Kyle Mewburn is one of New Zealand's most eclectic and prolific writers. With over 70 published titles, from picture books and junior fiction, to memoir and historical fiction, her work has been translated into eighteen languages and won numerous awards.
Kyle is proudly sponsored by Book Protection Products.
Pauline Smith
Pauline is New Zealand born and grew up in Murihiku | Southland. Her Samoan father was a first-generation migrant to Aotearoa in the late 1950’s. Her mother a 5th generation New Zealander of Scottish, Irish descent.
Her background lies largely in education, arts and culture with careers in primary school teaching, teacher education, and managing a Māori and Pasifika arts and cultural trust.
Her connection with the Polynesian Panthers began in an unexpected and deeply meaningful way through the writing of her award-winning junior fiction book, My New Zealand Story: Dawn Raid. In 2026 she published her second book alongside her grandson Brooklyn Taylor - My New Zealand Story: Dawn Raid The Apology.
She received an MNZM for services to arts and the Pacific community, was named 2021 Southlander of the year for her part in advancing the Dawn Raid apology and gained honorary Panther membership.
She is now a full-time writer, educator and activist.
Pauline is proudly sponsored by Wheelers.
Pauline is New Zealand born and grew up in Murihiku | Southland. Her Samoan father was a first-generation migrant to Aotearoa in the late 1950’s. Her mother a 5th generation New Zealander of Scottish, Irish descent.
Her background lies largely in education, arts and culture with careers in primary school teaching, teacher education, and managing a Māori and Pasifika arts and cultural trust.
Her connection with the Polynesian Panthers began in an unexpected and deeply meaningful way through the writing of her award-winning junior fiction book, My New Zealand Story: Dawn Raid. In 2026 she published her second book alongside her grandson Brooklyn Taylor - My New Zealand Story: Dawn Raid The Apology.
She received an MNZM for services to arts and the Pacific community, was named 2021 Southlander of the year for her part in advancing the Dawn Raid apology and gained honorary Panther membership.
She is now a full-time writer, educator and activist.
Pauline is proudly sponsored by Wheelers.
