Last Sunday I travelled to Tāmaki Makaurau and spent a few days in Parnell: particular highlights were visiting Lamplight Books, the cake at local cafe Winona Forever, and also attending a lecture. Yes, you heard that last one right. At this year’s annual Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day, librarian and honoree Elizabeth Jones gave the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal lecture, and it was the highlight of my visit.

The award Elizabeth won for 2024 is presented annually for lifetime achievement and significant contribution to the broad field of children’s and young adult literature and literacy. Elizabeth, currently Director of Literacy and Learning at National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, is a deserving recipient of this honour. Her responsibilities span leading the library’s nationwide services to school communities, supporting literacy and learning, reading engagement and library development, and strengthening initiatives and partnerships that help to grow a nation of readers.

In her lecture Elizabeth spoke extensively of the work being done by many individuals and organisations across Aotearoa to grow understanding and support for reading and the role of libraries – and of the huge need for this work to continue. Much, she said, is made of the digital divide: but what about the reading divide, and the persistent inequities which mean that many of Aotearoa’s children are missing out on access to quality books, and support to read for pleasure? 

Despite the work of many to bridge this gap, Elizabeth suggested, it’s not closing.

If young people aren’t reading for pleasure they are then missing out on the significant benefits it brings, from improved wellbeing and education to better social and life outcomes. The OECD reported in 2011 that “on average, students who read daily for enjoyment score the equivalent of one-and-a-half years of schooling better than those who do not.” It’s a compelling reminder of the critical nature of an activity we often see as a nice-to-have.

A recent highlight in the reading landscape has been the creation of Te Awhi Rito NZ Reading Ambassador, a role driven by many but especially Elizabeth, and established in 2021 by the National Library. Te Awhi Rito advocates for and champions the importance of reading in the lives of young New Zealanders, their whānau, and communities. Read NZ Te Pou Muramura, along with Storylines and Creative NZ, is proud to be part of the Te Awhi Rito partner group that’s chaired by the National Library, and to play a role in supporting the ambassador’s work.

The term ‘reading ambassador’ gives rise to another thought, though: to what degree are people like Elizabeth also reading ambassadors? To what extent are we, too, required to be reading ambassadors? There’s a role that each of us can play to show our young readers just how important reading is – and that is to read ourselves, preferably in public. Modelling reading is a powerful way to show just how much reading matters, and it’s a challenge that allows each of us to make an impact: should we choose to take it up.