Literacy & education

The partnerships we have developed since then have helped to lift the levels of literacy and education in our communities.

We are proud to continue this long-term commitment to our core literary partners.

Major partnerships include:

New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards

New Zealand Post is the principal sponsor of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards – which celebrate the extraordinary talents of this country’s top authors and illustrators. 

We’ve sponsored these awards since 1996 because we believe supporting the authors of today can help to inspire the writers of tomorrow.

Find out more about the finalists in this years’ New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.

New Zealand Post also promotes reading and creative writing in schools. An annual competition invites children to share their creative stories and poems - with the best entries being illustrated by a professional artist and published in an eBook.  The 2012 eBook is available for free online at magicaltales.co.nz

New Zealand Post Book Awards

New Zealand Post has been the principal sponsor of New Zealand’s premier literary awards since 2009.

The New Zealand Post Book Awards, which are administered by Booksellers NZ, celebrate excellence, by New Zealand authors and illustrators.

Find out more about these Awards at nzpostbookawards.co.nz

Literacy Aotearoa

New Zealand Post’s commitment to improving literacy is reflected in our support for Literacy Aotearoa - a national organisation which delivers accessible, quality literacy services.

Literacy Aotearoa offers learning programmes in a wide range of environments; including maraes, homes, prisons, community houses and workplaces.

As part of this commitment Literacy Aotearoa teaches adults to read in communities where Books in Homes is giving books to children.  FLASH (Family Literacy at School and Home) is now rolling this programme out in Auckland, with the longer-term aim of nationwide availability.

New Zealand Post, in partnership with Literacy Aotearoa, is also proud to support ‘Travelling Books’, - an initiative which donates thousands of books to New Zealand communities.  A note attached to each book encourages readers to “Read it then pass it on” - leaving the book where others can easily find it.  

To find out more about Literacy Aotearoa visit: literacy.org.nz

Howard League for Penal Reform

New Zealand Post wants to encourage all New Zealanders to read and write because these are fundamental prerequisites for engaging in work and in society. In this spirit, we sponsor a Howard League programme which aims to reduce re-offending by improving the literacy skills of prisoners.

Around half of the prison population in New Zealand cannot read or write. The programme which New Zealand Post sponsors targets prisoners who are serving a short sentence, or are awaiting trial or sentencing. Retired primary teachers work with these prisoners to deliver basic literacy programmes.

The goal is to teach prisoners to read and write, so that they are less likely to re-offend, and more able to make a positive contribution to society. To achieve this we must break the cycle of criminality, which frequently sees a functionally illiterate inmate – on their eventual release - being unable to get a job and resorting to re-offending.

To find out more about the Howard League for Penal Reform visit: nzhowardleague.org.nz

Books in Homes

New Zealand Post is a long-standing supporter of the Books in Homes programme, which helps bring the work of top New Zealand writers and illustrators to Kiwi children.

We provide copies of the books which are finalists in the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards to schools involved in the Books in Homes programme.

We also support the Duffy Theatre - a theatrical programme which visits schools throughout the country promoting the joy of reading through the energy and impact of live theatre.

Find out more about Books in Homes here: booksinhomes.org.nz