Are you a New Zealand based children’s writer?
Are you looking for a suitable publishing house for a book you’ve just completed?
Below, you’ll find 16 top children’s book publishers in New Zealand. We’ve also highlighted those, which are currently accepting submissions.
1. Bateman Books
Based in Hobsonville, Auckland, Bateman Books is a well-regarded independent company that handles both domestic and international markets. The late David Bateman founded his eponymous publishing business more than 40 years ago, of which Bateman Books is just one division.
Bateman Books offers a rich assortment of titles for young readers in fiction and nonfiction. Some focus on humor and New Zealand while others are designed for learning, crafts, and introducing fun activities. In particular, Nikki Slade Robinson’s Hauraki Broo and Fracaswell Hyman’s Mango in the City are amazing books.
Currently, the publisher is open to unsolicited submissions of children’s literature. Picture book authors should also send trial illustrations or (at the least) indicate their preferred art style or artists. Learn more by browsing the submission guidelines.
2. David Ling Publishing
Similar to Bateman Books, the Northland-based David Ling Publishing is the titular company of David Ling. Before founding his own business, he honed his craft for almost two decades at other publishers that printed general-interest books and learning resources.
Under its imprint Duck Creek Press, the company has children’s picture books that evoke a sense of joy, adventure, and curiosity. Such stories include Dorothy Butler’s Farmer Beetroot’s Birthday and Melinda Szymanik’s The House That Went to Sea.
If you’ve written a promising picture book, feel free to submit it to David Ling Publishing. You might have to wait three months for a reply, but it’s worth taking a shot.
3. One Tree House
In 2017, two veterans in the industry decided to launch their own company in Ellerslie, Auckland. Only a year later, Jenny Nagle and Christine Dale were rewarded when One Tree House was hailed as Oceania’s best publisher of children’s books.
As the go-to publisher for many readers and writers alike, One Tree House caters to children and teens with everything from picture books and board books to middle-grade fiction and YA novels. You should look at David Hill’s Three Scoops and Mary-Anne Scott’s Fantastic Mr. Bean to gain a better idea of what they publish.
One Tree House has already established its plan for the next two years. On the bright side, established authors from New Zealand can still submit their YA novels, picture books, and nonfiction works, among others.
4. Allen & Unwin
Apart from offices in Australia and the UK, Allen & Unwin has a significant presence in Freemans Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. Founded more than a century ago by Stanley Unwin in the UK, it has become Australia’s top indie publisher and launches a few hundred new titles annually.
Allen & Unwin has picture books, YA fiction & nonfiction, board books, and even children’s poetry. One of its newest titles is Sofie Laguna’s educational and heartwarming When You’re Older. Similarly, Wilbur Smith’s Shockwave is the most recent entry in the Jack Courtney Adventures series, which is perfect for teens.
As of writing, the publisher is open to submissions of engaging and innovative fiction for kids aged from five to 13 — and the same goes for manuscripts of well-written YA novels. Allen & Unwin rarely releases children’s nonfiction, but you can still send such projects if they have a narrative structure.
5. EK Books
Turning a decade old next year, EK Books has always vowed to welcome children’s literature that not all publishers are brave enough to accept. Situated in Dunedin, New Zealand, it prioritizes stories that can cover complicated social realities and serious issues in an accessible, immersive, and creative manner.
Since its inception, EK Books has always succeeded in complementing stellar writing with whimsical and light-hearted illustrations. Penelope Pratley’s The Secret of Sapling Green and Belinda Landsberry’s Once, I was Loved boast beautiful covers that kids will surely admire.
EK Books yearns to be the home of children’s books that truly matter. If your book tackles themes such as sustainability, mental health, history, socio-cultural diversity, and kindness, head to the submissions page to complete the form.
6. HarperCollins New Zealand
With a legendary history dating back to the launch of Harper Brothers Company two centuries ago, this publisher is a household name around the world. And in 1888, HarperCollins began to build its presence in New Zealand. Today, the NZ division is based in Auckland and handles iconic authors like Peter Gordon and Margaret Mahy.
If thrilling and inspiring journeys are what you seek in children’s books, check out Sarah Beth Durst’s The Shelterlings and Hannah Gold’s critically acclaimed The Last Bear. Simply put, HarperCollins New Zealand has no scarcity in award-winning board books, YA novels, picture books, and children’s nonfiction.
Unfortunately, the renowned publisher has stopped reviewing new submissions of children’s literature. Visit the submission guidelines section to read more.
7. Massey University Press
Before leading the Auckland-based Massey University Press, Nicola Legat ONZM held noteworthy roles at Random House, Metro Magazine, and other institutions in the industry. Along with her similarly excellent team members, she ensures that the press only publishes outstanding texts regardless of the category or main audience.
Massey University Press is brimming with delightful titles for kids. For those interested in animals and nature, they should get Janet Hunt’s well-reviewed Three Kiwi Tales and Rachel Hadydon’s Kaewa the Korora, both of which feature amazing images.
As long as your book project aims to nurture young minds and foster childlike wonder, you can submit a partial manuscript. Scroll down the contact page to find the “Publish with us” section and verify what is required in the cover letter.
8. Scholastic New Zealand
Like HarperCollins, Scholastic has a remarkable legacy. Established 102 years ago by Maurice R. Robinson in the US, the popular children’s book publisher now operates a massive division in New Zealand, which is specifically located in Auckland.
This beloved publisher has several kinds of children’s books: activity books, board books, picture books, fiction, nonfiction, and Maori books. A couple of fresh titles from their catalog are Stephanie Thatcher’s No Home for a Weta and Dean O’Brian’s Granny’s Undies.
Scholastic New Zealand is open to manuscript submissions from literary agents and writers who already have publishing experience with a well-known general publisher. If you’re an unagented or relatively new writer, you should still visit the submissions page for helpful tips about getting published.
9. Eunoia Publishing
Headquartered in Auckland, Eunoia Publishing came to fruition in 2009. This was all thanks to a group of writers who hoped that brilliant stories will reach their well-deserved audience whether in New Zealand or beyond. Since then, Eunoia Publishing has earned the respect of many publishing companies.
Eunoia Publishing launches children’s titles through the Twinkling Books imprint, which is the home of Cao Wenxuan’s lauded picture books Smoke and Summer. Also, this is where young readers can find the English-translated versions of The Staying Home Series from authors like Ai Wener and Zhang Xiaoling.
Sadly, Eunoia Publishing is closed to all new manuscripts and proposals for all of its imprints. Interested writers should check the submissions section at a later time for welcome updates.
10. Gecko Press
Julia Marshall established the Wellington-based Gecko Press in 2005 when she discovered that so many wonderful books didn’t have English versions. Apart from exceptionally translated children’s titles, this humble indie publisher also prints original works from local writers and artists.
Whether in ebook or paperback form, the children’s books here (including picture books and chapter books) look like instant modern classics. Specifically, families have enjoyed bestsellers like Joy Cowley’s Song of the River and Issa Watanabe’s brave and essential Migrants.
Geck Press is open to submissions from literary agents and established authors from New Zealand. If you’re from another country, you can still send your manuscript through an agent.
11. Beatnik Publishing
Beatnik Publishing is the brainchild of Sally Greer. Based in New Zealand since 2007, this indie publisher values art as much as the written word. In other words, Beatnik Publishing titles boast outstanding book designs to match their superb content within.
Like other noteworthy names in the industry, Beatnik Publishing encourages vivid storytelling for kids to learn more about themselves and the world. With activity books and picture books like Romy Sai Zunde’s Release the Beast and Laura Shallcrass’s What Colour is the Sky, they can comfortably learn about how to deal with negative emotions and foster respect for one another.
Before sending a proposal, writers should first look at the titles that Beatnik Publishing has to offer. If you think your work will look good alongside them, head to the submissions page. You’ll have to wait at least six months for a response since they have a ton of earlier entries to review.
12. Oratia Books
Peter Dowling created Oratia Books 14 years ago to help both readers and businesses in navigating the book industry. Situated in Auckland, the indie company fosters lasting relationships with organizations like the Publishers Association of New Zealand and the Accessible Books Consortium.
Children’s books from Oratia Books are guaranteed to educate readers without making them feel bored. Malcolm Paterson’s The Taniwha in Our Backyard is a beautifully illustrated book about geology, history, and animals. Meanwhile, Melanie Drewery’s newly released Nanny Mihi’s Medicine lets kids learn about the medicinal value of readily available plants and trees.
While YA novels are out of the question, Oratia Books is more than eager to review promising projects of picture books and children’s nonfiction. Check the submissions section of the contact page to know what you need to send with your cover letter.
13. Clean Slate Press
Located in Mount Eden, Auckland, Clean Slate Press is always at the forefront of assisting families and educational institutions in New Zealand. The team dedicates all their time and skills to crafting written projects that adhere to the country’s academic objectives.
Clean Slate Press consistently serves parents and teachers with relevant and high-quality learning books for their children and students, respectively. Preschoolers and middle-grade students alike benefit from titles like Vanessa York’s In the Henhouse and Kaitrin McMullan and Liz Weir’s There Was an Old Woman.
At present, the publisher isn’t open to unsolicited submissions. If you have questions or want to learn more about Clean Slate Press, visit the contact page.
14. Upstart Press
With their combined knowledge and experience in the publishing industry, the trio of Kevin Chapman, Patricia Dunmore, and Warren Adler established Upstart Press in 2013. Thanks to clear business goals, the Auckland-based company continues to excel in providing adult and children’s books.
This publisher’s solid reputation in children’s literature is partly the result of its keen selection of writers and illustrators. For one, Melinda Szymanik’s Moon & Sun tells a tale about appreciating diversity among one another with the help of artist Malene Laugesen. Annemarie Florian’s The Monarch Butterfly, on the other hand, gets its visual flair from Alistair Hughes.
Upstart Press accepts unsolicited submissions of children’s books except for fiction, which should be sent through a literary agent. Otherwise, you only need to email a synopsis and the first few chapters of your manuscript.
15. HUIA
More than 30 years ago, Robyn Rangihuia Bargh and Brian Bargh created HUIA in the hopes of preserving and sharing the culture, values, and standpoint of the Maori people for generations to come. Situated in Wellington, it’s a key component of understanding the history and identity of Aotearoa (the Maori term for New Zealand).
HUIA has some of the best children’s books you’ll find about the Maori people. There are graphic novels, YA novels, short stories, and junior fiction available. Particularly, bestsellers such as Pania Tahau-Hodges’s Mokopuna Matatini and Patricia Grace’s Haka serve as foundations of learning for young readers.
If you’ve carefully browsed the catalog and you think that your project fits right in, open the manuscripts page to send your manuscript. HUIA is open to direct submissions from newbie writers except for poetry and standalone short stories.
16. Auckland University Press
Established in 1966, the Auckland University Press in Auckland is New Zealand’s foremost educational publisher — and for a good reason. Covering everything from politics and architecture to Pacific Studies and contemporary history, it never fails to intrigue both intellectuals and general readers.
Auckland University Press doesn’t have the biggest selection of children’s literature. Yet what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for with quality. David Veart’s Digging Up the Past and Gregory O’Brien’s Back and Beyond are award-winning titles that educate kids about archeology and painting, respectively.
Writers of children’s nonfiction can directly send proposals online. Simply head to the submissions page for the complete guidelines.
Do you know of any other children’s book publishers in New Zealand? Please tell us about them below in the comments box!
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.