List of New Zealand writers

Writers who have contributed to New Zealand literature include:

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

A

• Michèle A'Court (born 1961), comedian, memoirist and non-fiction writer
• Avis Acres (1910–1994), artist, writer, illustrator and conservationist
• Pip Adam (living), fiction writer and reviewer
• Arthur Henry Adams (1872–1936), journalist, poet, novelist and playwright
• Catherine Adamson (1868–1925), diarist
• Fleur Adcock (born 1934), poet and editor
• Pinky Agnew (born 1955), author, playwright and social commentator
• Sarona Aiono-Iosefa (living), children's fiction writer
• George Alderton (1854–1942, newspaper editor and journalist
• Fred Alexander (1882–1957), editor, journalist and poetry anthologist
• Vanessa Alexander (living), screenwriter, producer, director
• Margaret Alington (1920–2012), librarian, historian and author
• Colin Allan (1921–1993), non-fiction writer
• Harry Allan (1882–1957), botany writer
• Rob Allan (born 1945), poet
• Rosetta Allan (living), poet and novelist
• Pamela Allen (born 1934), children's writer and illustrator
• Geoff Alley (1903–1986), rugby writer
• Michele Amas (1961–2016), poet, playwright and actress
• Barbara Anderson (1926–2013), fiction writer
• Mona Anderson (1909–2004), memoirist, children's writer
• Isobel Andrews (1905–1990), poet, playwright and short story writer
• Frank S. Anthony (1891–1927), short story writer and novelist
• Michalia Arathimos (living), short story writer and novelist
• K O Arvidson (1938–2011), poet and academic
• Sylvia Ashton-Warner (1908–1984), writer, poet and educator
• Tusiata Avia (born 1966), poet and children's author

B

• Annette Baier (1929–2012), philosopher and non-fiction writer
• Denis Baker (born 1966), novelist and short story writer
• Hinemoana Baker (born 1968), poet, musician and recording artist
• Louisa Alice Baker (1856–1926), journalist and novelist
• Murray Ball (1939–2017), cartoonist
• Philippa Ballantine (born 1971), author of speculative fiction
• David Ballantyne (1924–1986), journalist and fiction writer
• Serie Barford (living), performance poet
• Mary Anne Barker (Lady Barker) (1831–1911), poet and non-fiction writer
• John Barr (1809–1889), poet
• Miriam Barr (born 1982), page and performance poet
• Sarah Maria Barraud (1823–1895), letter-writer and housewife
• Rachel Barrowman (born 1963), author and historian
• Amelia Batistich (1915–2004), novelist, short story writer and memoirist
• Blanche Baughan (1870–1958), poet, writer and penal reformer
• James K. Baxter (1926–1972), poet and playwright
• Kay Baxter (born 1952/53), horticulturalist
• Arthur Baysting (1947–2019), journalist, screenwriter, children's writer and poet
• Ann Beaglehole (born 1948), historian and novelist
• Helen Beaglehole (born 1946), children's writer and historian
• John Beaglehole (1901–1971), historian
• Fleur Beale (born 1945), young adult novelist
• Margaret Beames (born 1935), children's book novelist
• Airini Beautrais (born 1982), poet and short-story writer
• Bernard Beckett (born 1967), young adult novelist
• George Bell (1809–1899), editor and journalist
• James Belich (born 1956), historian
• Francis Oswald Bennett (1898–1976), medical historian and biographer
• Joe Bennett (born 1957), non-fiction writer and columnist
• Marlene J Bennetts (born 1938), poet and children's author
• Ursula Bethell (1874–1945), poet and social worker
• Jean Betts (living), playwright, actor and director
• Graham Billing (1936–2001), novelist, journalist and poet
• Victor Billot (living), poet, journalist and editor
• Judith Binney (1940–2011), writer, academic and historian
• Hera Lindsay Bird (born 1987), poet
• Gavin Bishop (born 1946), children's author and illustrator
• Donovan Bixley (born 1971), illustrated biographer and children's book writer
• Ellen Wright Blackwell (1864–1952), writer and botanist
• Geoff Blackwell (living), non-fiction writer
• Paddy Blanchfield (1911–1980), poet
• Arapera Blank (1932–2002), poet and teacher
• James Bodell (c. 1831–1892), memoirist
• Paula Boock (born 1964), writer and editor
• Ivan Bootham (1939–2016), fiction writer, poet and composer
• Jenny Bornholdt (born 1960), poet and anthologist
• Michael Botur (born 1984), poet and fiction writer
• Avice Maud Bowbyes (1901–1992), home science lecturer and writer
• Thomas Bracken (1843–1898), poet, journalist and politician
• Charles Brasch (1909–1973), poet, literary editor and arts patron
• Errol Brathwaite (1924–2005), author
• Virginia Braun (fl. 2000s), gender studies expert, psychologist and non-fiction writer
• Freda Bream (1918–1996), teacher and writer
• Diana Bridge (born 1942), poet
• Bub Bridger (1924–2009), poet and short story writer
• Adele Broadbent (born 1968), children's author
• Ben Brown (living), children's author, poet
• Deidre Brown (born 1970), art historian and historical lecturer
• Diane Brown (born 1951), novelist and poet
• Helen Brown (born 1954), novelist and columnist
• Justin Brown (born 1973) (also writes as Justin Christopher), non-fiction writer and children's author
• Riwia Brown (born 1957), playwright and screenwriter
• Audrey Brown-Pereira (born 1975), poet, diplomat and public servant
• Harriet Louisa Browne (1829–1906), political salon hostess, community leader and letter-writer
• Bryan Bruce (born 1948), non-fiction writer and documentarian
• Frank Bruno (1910-1967) writer and cartoonist
• George Bryant (born 1938), non-fiction and Christian writer
• Rachel Buchanan (born 1968), author and historian
• Lindsay Buick (1866–1938), politician, journalist and historian
• Margaret Bullock (1845–1903), journalist, writer, feminist and social reformer
• Norah Burnard (1902–1979), journal editor
• Rachel Bush (1941–2016), poet
• Dorothy Butler (1925–2015), children's book author, bookseller, memoirist and reading advocate

C

• Dolce Ann Cabot (1862–1943), early newspaper editor
• John Cairney (1898–1966), anatomy textbook writer
• Judy Callingham (living), scriptwriter, television presenter and journalist
• Kirsty Cameron (living), screenwriter
• Kate Camp (born 1972), poet and author
• Alistair Te Ariki Campbell (1925–2009), poet, playwright and novelist
• Arnold Campbell (1906–1980), educationalist and non-fiction writer
• Meg Campbell (1937–2007), poet
• Sarah Campion (1906–2002), pseudonym of Mary Rose Alpers, novelist and social activist
• Dulce Carman (1883—1970), romance writer
• Clyde Carr (1886–1962), politician, church minister and poet
• Una Carter (1890–1954), cookbook writer
• John Caselberg (1927–2004), poet, playwright, short story writer, essayist
• Bruce Cathie (1930–2013), ufologist writer
• Christine Cole Catley (1922–2011), journalist, publisher and author
• Ken Catran (born 1944), children's novelist and screenwriter
• Eleanor Catton (born 1985), novelist and screenwriter
• Frances Caverhill (1834–1897), diarist
• Gordon Challis (1932–2018), poet
• Lynda Chanwai-Earle (born 1965), writer and radio producer
• William Chapple (1864–1936), eugenics and medical writer
• Janet Charman (born 1954), poet
• Brenda Chawner (living), library academic
• Frances Cherry (1937–2022), novelist, short story writer and children's writer
• Catherine Chidgey (born 1970), fiction writer
• Harrison Christian (born 1990), journalist and historical writer
• Daphne Clair (born 1939), romance novelist and activist
• Kate Clark (1847–1926), children's writer, poet, artist and community worker
• Margaret Clark (born 1941), political scientist and writer
• Paul Cleave (born 1974), crime novelist
• Constance Clyde (1872-1951), novelist, travel writer and suffragette
• Nellie Coad (1883–1974), teacher, community leader and non-fiction writer
• Geoff Cochrane (born 1951), poet, novelist and short story writer
• Gina Cole (living), lawyer, short story writer and novelist
• Elizabeth Fairburn Colenso (1821–1904), missionary, teacher and Bible translator
• Glenn Colquhoun (born 1964), poet and doctor
• Jennifer Compton (born 1949), poet and playwright
• Sandra Coney (born 1944), local politician, writer, feminist, historian and women's health campaigner
• Hugh Cook (1956–2008), science fiction writer
• Kay McKenzie Cooke (born 1953), poet
• Sue Copsey (born 1960), children's author and editor
• Judy Corbalis (living), fiction writer
• Violet May Cottrell (1887–1971), writer, poet and spiritualist
• James Courage (1903–1963), fiction writer, poet and bookseller
• David Coventry (born 1969), novelist and musician
• Winston Cowie (born 1982), novelist and historian
• Joy Cowley (born 1936), author of children's fiction
• Rachael Craw (living), novelist and teacher
• Douglas Cresswell (1894–1960), author, historian and broadcaster
• Mary Cresswell (born 1937), science editor and poet
• Walter D'Arcy Cresswell (1896–1960), poet, journalist and writer
• Fiona Cross (fl. 2000s), arachnologist and non-fiction writer
• Barry Crump (1935–1996), author of semi-autobiographical comic novels
• Majella Cullinane (living), poet and novelist
• Jackie Cumming (fl. 2000s), academic, health expert and non-fiction writer
• Allen Curnow (1911–2001), poet and journalist

D

• Lois Daish (fl. 1960s), food writer and cookbook writer
• Debra Daley (living), novelist
• Ruth Dallas (1919–2008), poet and children's writer
• Bob Darroch (born 1940), illustrator, author and cartoonist
• Dan Davin (1913–1990), novelist, non-fiction writer and editor
• Winnie Davin (1909–1995), teacher, community worker, writer and editor
• Jackie Davis (born 1963), author, poet, and playwright
• Leigh Davis (1955–2009), poet
• Kate De Goldi (born 1959), novelist, children's writer and short story writer
• Joan de Hamel (1924–2011), children's author
• Geoffrey Potocki de Montalk (1903–1997), poet and polemicist
• Stephanie de Montalk (born 1945), poet and biographer
• Elena de Roo (living), poet and children's author
• John Dennison (born 1978), poet
• Pip Desmond (living), author and journalist
• George E. Dewar (1891–1969), poet and writer
• Jean Devanny (1894–1962), author and communist
• Bill Direen (living), writer and performer
• Gillian Dobbie (fl. 2000s), computer scientist, academic and non-fiction writer
• Lynley Dodd (born 1941), children's author and illustrator
• Alfred Domett (1811–1887), fourth Premier of New Zealand and poet
• Robyn Donald (born 1940), romance novelist
• Basil Dowling (1910–2000), poet
• Melanie Drewery (born 1970), children's author and illustrator
• Joan Druett (born 1935), historian and novelist
• Alison Edith Hilda Drummond (1903–1984), farmer, historian, writer and editor
• Sam Duckor-Jones (born 1982), sculptor, poet, and artist
• Marilyn Duckworth (born 1940), fiction writer and poet
• Tessa Duder (born 1940), young people's, fiction and non-fiction writer and playwright
• Alan Duff (born 1950), novelist and newspaper columnist
• Yvonne du Fresne (1929–2011), fiction writer and playwright
• Eileen Duggan (1894–1972), poet and journalist
• Maurice Duggan (1922–1974), fiction writer
• Kate Duignan (born 1974), fiction writer and reviewer
• Beverley Dunlop (1935–2023), children's writer, novelist and short story writer
• Cathie Dunsford (born 1953), novelist, poet and anthologist
• Hedda Dyson (1857–1951), journalist and magazine editor

E

• Elisabeth Easther (born 1970), journalist and playwright
• Dorothy Eden (1912–1982), Gothic fiction writer
• Lynley Edmeades (living), poet, academic and editor
• Lauris Edmond (1924–2000), poet and writer
• Mihi Edwards (1918–2008), memoirist
• Brendon Egan (born 1984), sports writer
• David Eggleton (born 1952), poet and writer.
• Jill Eggleton (living), children's author and education consultant
• Stevan Eldred-Grigg (born 1952), novelist and historian
• Ellen Elizabeth Ellis (1829–1895), feminist and writer
• Barbara Else (born 1947), novelist, short story writer, editor and literary agent
• Chris Else (born 1942), fiction writer and poet
• Bronwyn Elsmore (living), fiction and non-fiction writer and playwright
• Riemke Ensing (born 1939), poet
• Margaret Escott (1908–1977), novelist, drama teacher and poet
• Barbara Ewing (born 1939), actress, playwright and novelist

F

• Jacqueline Fahey (born 1929), painter and writer
• A. R. D. Fairburn (1904-1957), poet
• Tracy Farr (born 1962), novelist and short story writer
• Fiona Farrell (born 1947), poet, fiction writer and playwright
• Angie Farrow (born 1951), academic and writer for theatre and radio
• Laurence Fearnley (born 1963), short-story writer, novelist and non-fiction writer
• Gigi Fenster (born 1963/64), novelist, creative writing teacher and law lecturer
• Joan Fleming (born 1984), poet, non-fiction writer and academic
• Beryl Fletcher (1938–2018), feminist novelist
• Tui Flower (1925–2017), food writer
• Mihingarangi Forbes (fl. 1990s), journalist and radio broadcaster
• Margot Forde (1935–1995), botanist, taxonomist and writer
• Gary Forrester (born 1946), poet and novelist
• Michelanne Forster (born 1953), playwright and scriptwriter
• Dorothy Fowler (living), novelist
• Janet Frame (1924–2004), fiction writer, poet and autobiographer
• Ruth France (1913–1968), librarian, poet and novelist
• Margaret Fraser (1866–1951), domestic servant and letter writer
• Anne French (born 1956), editor and poet
• Roderick Fry (born 1969), novelist
• Catherine Fulton (1829–1919), diarist, community leader, philanthropist, social reformer and suffragette

G

• Ngāreta Gabel (born 1975), children's author
• Abby Gaines (living), romance novelist
• Kathleen Gallagher (born 1957), playwright, filmmaker, poet, and novelist
• Rhian Gallagher (born 1961), poet
• Elizabeth Gard'ner (1858–1926), home science teacher and writer
• Maurice Gee (born 1931), novelist
• Frances Shayle George (1828–1890), teacher, writer and educationalist
• James George (born 1962), novelist and short story writer
• Mīria George (born 1980), writer, producer and director
• Golriz Ghahraman (born 1981), politician and non-fiction author
• Ivy Gibbs (c. 1886–1966), poet and children's writer
• Michael Gifkins (1945–2014), literary agent, fiction writer, critic and editor
• Ruth Gilbert (1917–2016), poet
• Betty Gilderdale (1923–2021), children's author
• Olivia Aroha Giles (born 1962), novelist and children's author
• Esther Glen (1881–1940), children's novelist, journalist and community worker
• Alice Glenday (c. 1920–2004), novelist, short-story writer and playwright
• Denis Glover (1912–1980), poet and publisher
• Brannavan Gnanalingam (born 1983), author and lawyer
• Charlotte Godley (1821–1907), letter-writer and community leader
• Gaelyn Gordon (1939–1997), children's writer, crime fiction writer and short story writer
• Alfred Augustus Grace (1867–1942), teacher, journalist and writer
• Patricia Grace (born 1937), fiction and children's writer
• Grace Winifred Green (1907–1976), radio broadcaster and journalist
• Paula Green (born 1955), poet and children's author
• Lisa Greenwood (born 1955), novelist
• H. W. Gretton (1914–1983), poet, writer, journalist and diarist
• Charlotte Grimshaw (born 1966), novelist, columnist and reviewer
• Edith Searle Grossmann (1863–1931), novelist, journalist and feminist
• Kirsty Gunn (born 1960), fiction writer
• John Guthrie (1905–1955), journalist and novelist
• Peter Gossage (1946-2016), author and illustrator of Maori legends

H

• Mandy Hager (born 1960), novelist, children's author, non-fiction writer and screenwriter
• David Hair (living), fantasy author
• Russell Haley (1934–2016), poet, short story writer and novelist
• Bernadette Hall (born 1945), playwright and poet
• Pip Hall (born 1971), scriptwriter and actor
• Roger Hall (born 1939), playwright
• Jane Elizabeth Harris (c. 1853–1942), writer, lecturer and spiritualist
• William Hart-Smith (1911–1990), poet
• Siobhan Harvey (born 1973), author, editor and creative writing lecturer
• J. H. Haslam (1874–1969), Methodist minister, poet, editor and church historian
• Dinah Hawken (born 1943), poet
• Kathleen Hawkins (1883–1981), poet
• Catherine Hay (1910–1995), historical romance writer
• Debbie Hay (living), molecular pharmacologist; non-fiction writer
• Karyn Hay (born 1959), author and broadcaster
• Joel Hayward (born 1964), historian, writer and poet
• Helen Heath (born 1970), poet
• Christina Henderson (1861–1953), teacher, feminist, prohibitionist, social reformer and editor
• Whiti Hereaka (born 1978), playwright, novelist and screenwriter
• Ellen Hewett (1843–1926), memoirist
• Mary St Domitille Hickey (1882–1958), Catholic nun, school principal and historian
• Sarah Higgins (1830–1923), housewife and memoirist
• David Hill (born 1942), author and young adult fiction writer
• Eva Hill (1898–1981), medical superintendent, writer, publicist and health campaigner
• Emma Hislop (living), short story writer
• Lucy Hockings (born c.1975), journalist and producer
• Dominic Hoey (born 1977), writer, poet and musician
• M. H. Holcroft (1902–1993), essayist and novelist
• Liddy Holloway (1947–2004), actress and television scriptwriter
• Jeffrey Paparoa Holman (born 1947), poet, non-fiction writer and retired academic
• Janet Holmes (born 1947), sociolinguist
• Ani Hona (1938–1997), short story writer, poet and biographer
• Lynley Hood (born 1942), biographer and non-fiction writer
• David Howard (born 1959), poet
• Philippa Howden-Chapman (fl. 2000s), academic, public health expert and non-fiction writer
• Edith Howes (1872–1954), teacher, educationalist and children's writer
• Keri Hulme (1947–2021), fiction writer and poet
• Des Hunt (born 1941), writer for children and young adults
• Sam Hunt (born 1946), poet especially for performance poetry
• Eirlys Hunter (born 1952), writer and creative writing teacher
• Rex Hunter (1889–1960), poet, playwright and fiction writer
• Rosalind Hursthouse (born 1943), philosopher and non-fiction writer
• Jessica Hutchings (living), non-fiction writer
• Robin Hyde (1906–1939), poet, journalist and novelist
• Prue Hyman (born 1943), academic, feminist, economist and non-fiction writer

I

• Witi Ihimaera (born 1944), novelist
• Catherine Lucy Innes (c. 1840–1900), journalist
• Kevin Ireland (born 1933), poet, short story writer, novelist and librettist
• Fanny Irvine-Smith (1878–1948), lecturer and writer
• Kate Isitt (1876–1948), journalist and writer

J

• Anna Jackson (born 1967), poet, fiction and non-fiction writer and academic
• Michael Jackson (born 1940), poet and anthropologist
• Annamarie Jagose (born 1965), LGBT academic and fiction writer
• Florence James (1902–1993), writer and literary agent
• Lynn Jenner (living), poet and essayist
• Annaleese Jochems (born 1994), novelist
• Stephanie Johnson (born 1961), poet, playwright and short story writer
• Alexa Johnston (living), author, art curator and historian
• Andrew Johnston (born 1963), poet and journalist
• Christine Johnston (born 1950), novelist
• Lloyd Jones (born 1955), novelist
• Tim Jones (born 1959), fiction writer and poet
• V. M. Jones, (born 1958), children's author
• Sherryl Jordan (born 1949), writer for children and young adults
• M. K. Joseph (1914–1981), poet and novelist
• Andrea Jutson (living), novelist

K

• Keri Kaa (1942–2020), writer, educator and advocate of Māori language
• Kuni Kaa Jenkins, writer, research and educationalist
• Simone Kaho (born 1978), poet
• Amy Kane (1879–1979), journalist and community leader
• Angelique Kasmara (living), novelist, short story writer, non-fiction writer, editor and translator
• Kapka Kassabova (born 1973), poet and writer of fiction and narrative non-fiction
• Merata Kawharu (living), writer and academic
• Sheridan Keith (born 1942), fiction writer, artist and broadcaster
• Lindy Kelly (born 1952), children's author, fiction writer and playwright
• Elizabeth Kelso (1889–1967), journalist, editor and community leader
• Jan Kemp (born 1949), poet and short-story writer
• Anne Kennedy (born 1959), novelist, poet and film writer
• Alice Annie Kenny (1875–1960), poet and fiction writer
• Eli Kent (born 1988), playwright and actor
• Angela Kepler (born 1943), naturalist and author
• Bob Kerr (born 1951), author, illustrator and artist
• Suzi Kerr (born 1966), economist, academic and non-fiction writer
• Fiona Kidman (born 1940), fiction writer, poet and scriptwriter
• Michael King (1945–2004), historian, author and biographer
• Rachael King (born 1970), fiction writer
• Russell Kirkpatrick (born 1961), geography lecturer and fantasy novelist
• Elizabeth Knox (born 1959), novelist
• Shonagh Koea (born 1939), fiction writer
• Saradha Koirala (born 1980), poet and writer

L

• Sarah Laing (born 1973), author and cartoonist
• Annabel Langbein (born 1958), chef, food writer and publisher
• Eve Langley (1904–1974), novelist and poet
• Anthony Lapwood (born 1983), short story writer
• Jack Lasenby (1931–2019), writer for children and young adults
• John A. Lee (1891–1982), politician and writer
• Owen Leeming (born 1930), poet, playwright, radio presenter and television producer
• Michele Leggott (born 1956), poet and professor of English
• Colleen Maria Lenihan (living), short-story writer and screenwriter
• Louise Wareham Leonard (born 1965), novelist and poet
• Robert Leonard (born 1963), writer about contemporary art
• Christine Leunens (born 1964), novelist
• June Margaret Litman (1926–1991), journalist
• Elsie Locke (1912–2001), writer, historian and activist
• Terry Locke (born 1946), poet, anthologist, poetry reviewer and academic
• Iain Lonie (1932–1988), poet and historian
• Jean Lonie (1930–1997), poet and teacher
• Judith Lonie (1935–1982), poet
• Robert Lord (1945–1992), playwright
• Helen Lowe (born 1961), novelist
• Brigid Lowry (born 1953), writer for children and young adults
• Rose Lu (born 1990), essayist
• Edith Lyttleton (1873–1945), fiction writer

M

• Claire Mabey (living), children's writer and editor
• Charlotte Macdonald (living), historian
• Rebecca Macfie (living), author and journalist
• Juliette MacIver (living), children's picture book author
• Jessie Mackay (1864–1938), poet and animal rights activist
• Katrine Mackay (1864–1944), journalist and cook
• Anna Mackenzie (born 1963), novelist
• Hester Maclean (1859–1932), hospital matron, editor and writer
• Shirley Maddock (1928–2001), producer, television presenter, author and actress
• Margaret Mahy (1936–2012), author of children's and young adult books
• Tina Makereti (living), novelist, essayist, short story writer, editor and creative writing teacher
• Emilie Monson Malcolm (c. 1830–1905), memoirist and housewife
• Clare Mallory (1913–1991), children's author and teacher
• Becky Manawatu (born 1982), novelist
• Jane Mander (1877–1949), novelist and journalist
• Bill Manhire (born 1946), poet, fiction writer and academic
• Frederick Edward Maning (1812–1883), settler, writer and Native Land Court judge
• Phillip Mann (born 1942), science fiction author
• Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923), short-story writer and poet
• Cecil Manson (1896–1987), non-fiction writer, children's writer, journalist and broadcaster
• Celia Manson (1908–1987), non-fiction writer, children's writer, journalist and broadcaster
• Juliet Marillier (born 1948), fantasy fiction writer
• Janice Marriott (born 1946), writer, editor, screenwriter and poet
• Ngaio Marsh (1895–1982), crime writer and theatre director
• Selina Tusitala Marsh (born 1971), poet and academic
• Owen Marshall (born 1941), fiction writer
• Talia Marshall (born 1978), essay writer, poet and short-story writer
• Mary Ann Martin (1817–1884), community leader, teacher and writer
• Bruce Mason (1921–1982), playwright
• R. A. K. Mason (1905-1971), poet
• Kāterina Mataira (1932–2011), Māori language advocate, artist and writer
• Sarah Louise Mathew (c.1805–1890), diarist
• Peta Mathias (living), food writer and television presenter
• Tina Matthews (born 1961), author, illustrator and puppet maker
• Gill Matthewson (fl. 1980s), architect, educator and writer
• Muriel May (1897–1982), writer and educationalist
• Ged Maybury (born 1953), children's book author
• Cath Mayo (living), fiction writer and musician
• Rachel McAlpine (born 1940), poet, novelist and playwright
• Janet McCallum (1947–2015), non-fiction writer and journalist
• Mary McCallum (born 1961), author and journalist
• Anthony McCarten (born 1961), novelist, playwright, television writer and filmmaker
• Sue McCauley (born 1941), fiction writer, playwright and screenwriter
• Lyn McConchie (born 1946), fiction and children's writer
• Gary McCormick (born 1951), poet and broadcaster
• Carolyn McCurdie (living), fiction writer and poet
• Jill McDonald (1927–1982), children's writer and illustrator
• Kirsten McDougall (born 1974), novelist and short story writer
• Christine McElwee (1946–2022), politician, historian, non-fiction author and teacher
• Shona McFarlane (1929–2001), artist, journalist and broadcaster
• Greg McGee (born 1950), crime writer and playwright
• Rosemary McLeod (born 1949), writer, cartoonist and columnist
• Frankie McMillan (born 1950), writer of poetry, fiction and flash fiction
• Linda McNabb (born 1963), children's author
• James McNeish (1931–2016), novelist, playwright and biographer
• Heather McPherson (1942–2017), feminist poet, publisher and editor
• Cilla McQueen (born 1949), poet
• Philippa Mein Smith (living), historian
• Courtney Sina Meredith (born 1986), poet, playwright and fiction writer
• Richard Meros (living), satirical author
• Elizabeth Messenger (1908–1965), journalist, cookery writer and crime novelist
• Rowan Metcalfe (1955–2003), fiction writer, poet and journalist
• Kyle Mewburn (born 1963), children's author
• Miriam Meyerhoff (fl. 2000s), sociolinguist and non-fiction writer
• Ian Middleton (1928–2007), novelist
• O. E. Middleton (1925–2010), fiction writer
• Karlo Mila (born 1974), poet
• Barry Mitcalfe (1930–1986), poet, editor and peace activist
• David Mitchell (1940–2011), poet, teacher and cricketer
• Antonija Mitrović (fl. 1990s), computer scientist and non-fiction writer
• Tze Ming Mok (born 1978), fiction writer and socio-political commentator
• Pérrine Moncrieff (1893–1979), author, conservationist and amateur ornithologist
• Geoff Moon (1915–2009), naturalist, ornithologist, conservationist and photographer
• Kelly Ana Morey (born 1968), novelist and poet
• Ronald Hugh Morrieson (1922–1972), fiction writer
• Paula Morris (born 1965), novelist and short-story writer
• Michael Morrissey (born 1942), poet, fiction writer and columnist
• Elsie K. Morton (1885–1968), journalist and writer
• Alan Mulgan (1881–1962), novelist, poet, journalist and broadcaster
• John Mulgan (1911–1945), novelist, poet, journalist and editor
• Jessie Munro (born 1946), writer, biographer and French teacher
• Lee Murray (born 1965), fiction writer and editor
• Shirley Murray (1931–2020), writer of hymn texts
• Margaret Mutu (living), Ngāti Kahu leader, author and academic

N

• Elizabeth Nannestad (born 1956), poet
• Susan Napier (born 1954), romance writer
• Sheila Natusch (1926–2017), writer, naturalist and illustrator
• Emma Neale (born 1969), novelist and poet
• Lino Nelisi (born 1952), author and educator
• John Newton (born 1959), poet
• Marjory Nicholls (1890–1930), poet, teacher and drama producer
• Jay Nieuwland (born 1990), poet
• Carl Nixon (born 1967), fiction writer and playwright
• Mikaela Nyman (born 1966), novelist, poet and journalist

O

• Susan Moller Okin (1946–2004), feminist political philosopher and author
• Peter Olds (1944–2023), poet
• Michael O'Leary (born 1950), publisher, poet and novelist
• Gloria Olive (1923–2006), academic mathematician and author
• W. H. Oliver (1925–2015), historian and poet
• Linda Olsson (born 1948), novelist
• Claudia Orange (born 1938), historian
• Margaret Orbell (1935–2006), author, editor and academic
• Sue Orr (born 1962), fiction writer and journalist

P

• Makereti Papakura (1873–1930), guide, entertainer and ethnographer
• Ruth Park (1917–2010), novelist and children's, non-fiction and radio writer
• Lorae Parry (born 1955), playwright and actor
• Lawrence Patchett (living), novelist and short story writer
• Alistair Paterson (born 1929), poet, writer and literary editor
• Justin Paton (born 1972), writer, art critic and curator
• Jenny Pattrick (born 1936), novelist
• Evelyn Patuawa-Nathan (living), poet and novelist
• Isabel Peacocke (1881–1973), teacher, novelist and broadcaster
• Helen Pearse-Otene (living), playwright, screenwriter and novelist
• Bill Pearson (1922–2002), fiction writer, essayist and critic
• Nicky Pellegrino (born 1964), novelist
• Emily Perkins (born 1970), fiction writer
• Dianne Ruth Pettis (1955–2008), novelist and journalist
• April Phillips (living), actress, playwright and singer
• Leonie Pihama (living), Māori academic
• Mark Pirie (born 1974), poet, writer, critic and anthologist
• Vivienne Plumb (born 1955), poet, playwright, fiction writer and editor
• Robert J. Pope (1865–1949), poet and songwriter
• Joanna Preston (born 1972), poet and editor
• Chris Price (born 1962), poet, editor and creative writing teacher
• Rebecca Priestley (living), academic, science historian and writer
• Erenora Puketapu-Hetet (1941–2006), weaver and author
• Elizabeth Pulford (born 1943), writer of fiction, poetry and non-fiction

Q

• Alison Quigan (living), actress, director and playwright
• Sarah Quigley (living), fiction writer and poet

R

• Maggie Rainey-Smith (born 1950), novelist, poet, short story writer, essayist and reviewer
• Maraea Rakuraku (living), playwright, poet, short story writer, and broadcaster
• essa may ranapiri (born 1993/4), poet and visual artist
• Charlotte Randall (living), novelist
• Beverley Randell (born 1931), children's author
• Jo Randerson (born 1973), writer, director and performer
• Max Rashbrooke (born 1980), journalist, political writer and researcher
• Lizzie Rattray (1855–1931), journalist, suffragist and welfare worker
• Gloria Rawlinson (1918–1995), poet, fiction writer and editor
• Annie Lee Rees (1864–1949), writer, teacher, lawyer and community leader
• Rosemary Frances Rees (c.1875–1963), actress, playwright, producer and novelist
• Amber Reeves (1887–1981), feminist, writer and scholar
• William Pember Reeves (1857–1932), politician, cricketer, historian and poet
• Sue Reidy (living), author and designer
• Rebecca K Reilly (born 1991), novelist
• Paddy Richardson (living), fiction writer
• Mary Richmond (1853–1949), community leader, teacher and writer
• Harry Ricketts (born 1950), poet, biographer, editor, anthologist, critic, academic, literary scholar and cricket writer
• Catherine Robertson (born 1966), novelist
• Roger Robinson (born 1939), academic, essayist, editor, runner, sportswriter and sports commentator
• Lauren Kim Roche (born 1961), author and physician
• Violet Augusta Roche (1885–1967), journalist and welfare worker
• Hilda Rollett (1873–1970), teacher, journalist and writer
• Joan Rosier-Jones (born 1940), fiction and non-fiction writer and playwright
• Tania Roxborogh (born 1965), novelist and non-fiction writer

S

• Fiona Samuel (born 1961), playwright, actor and director
• Maria Samuela (born 1972), short story and children's writer
• Ben Sanders (born 1989), crime writer
• Nora Sanderson (1905–1975), romance novelist, children's book writer and short-story writer
• Elspeth Sandys (born 1940), fiction writer and poet
• Frank Sargeson (1903–1982), fiction novelist
• Duncan Sarkies (living), screenwriter, playwright and fiction writer
• Nelle Scanlan (1882–1968), journalist and novelist
• Ben Schrader (born 1964), historian
• Dick Scott (1923–2020), historian and journalist
• Margaret Scott (1928–2014), writer, editor, librarian and Katherine Mansfield scholar
• Mary Scott (1888–1979), novelist and librarian
• Mary-anne Scott (living), writer, singer and musician
• Robyn Scott (born 1981), writer and entrepreneur
• Rosie Scott (1948–2017), novelist, poet, playwright, short-story writer, non-fiction writer, editor and lecturer
• William Sewell (1951–2003), poet, book reviewer and editor
• Maurice Shadbolt (1932–2004), fiction writer, autobiographer and playwright
• Iain Sharp (born 1953), poet and critic
• Helen Lilian Shaw (1913–1985), short-story writer, poet and editor
• Tina Shaw (born 1961), novelist
• Adrienne Simpson (1943–2010), broadcaster, historian, musicologist and writer
• Keith Sinclair (1922–1993), poet and historian
• Nalini Singh (born 1977), paranormal romance novelist
• Tracey Slaughter (born 1972), poet and short-story writer
• Anna Smaill (born 1979), poet and novelist
• Craig Smith (living), children's author
• Elizabeth Smither (born 1941), poet and novelist
• Kendrick Smithyman (1922–1995), poet
• Ruby Solly (born 1996), poet, academic and scriptwriter
• Laura Solomon (1974–2019), novelist, playwright and poet
• Eileen Louise Soper (1900–1989), journalist, writer and Girl Guide Commissioner
• C. K. Stead (born 1932), fiction writer, poet and literary critic
• Māmari Stephens (living), legal academic
• Adela Blanche Stewart (1846–1910), housewife and non-fiction writer
• Olga Stringfellow (born 1923), journalist and novelist
• Jacquie Sturm (1927–2009), poet, short story writer and librarian
• Terry Sturm (1941–2009), editor and academic
• Laura Jane Suisted (1840–1903), writer, journalist and parliamentary reporter
• Robert Sullivan (born 1967), poet, academic and editor
• Essie Summers (1912–1998), romance novelist
• Barbara Sumner (living), writer and film producer
• Fiona Sussman (born 1965), novelist and short story writer
• Vanda Symon (born 1969), crime writer and radio host
• Melinda Szymanik (born 1963), children's author

T

• Tamairangi (fl. 1820–1828), Ngati Ira and Ngati Kuia leader and poet
• Tusi Tamasese (born 1975/6), scriptwriter
• Leilani Tamu (living), poet and politician
• Violet Targuse (1884–1937), playwright
• Anna Taylor (born 1982), short-story writer
• Apirana Taylor (born 1955), poet, novelist, performer, story-teller, musician and painter
• Chad Taylor (born 1964), fiction writer and screenwriter
• Grace Taylor (born c.1984), poet and performer
• Renée Taylor (born 1929), feminist writer and playwright
• Ngahuia Te Awekotuku (born 1949), Māori cultural academic and non-fiction writer
• Samuel Te Kani (born 1990), essayist, short-story writer and poet
• Philip Temple (born 1939), novelist, children's author and non-fiction author
• Margaret Tennant (living), historian
• Brianne Te Paa (born 1984), children's author
• Ngaire Thomas (1943–2012), memoirist
• Kirsten Moana Thompson (born 1964), academic and film writer
• Mervyn Thompson (1935–1992), academic, playwright and theatre director
• Tayi Tibble (born 1995), poet
• Ariana Tikao (born 1971), non-fiction writer, musician and research librarian
• Mona Tracy (1892–1959), children's novelist, journalist, poet and fiction writer
• Jill Trevelyan (born 1963), art curator, reviewer and author
• Chris Tse (born 1982), poet and writer
• Brian Turner (born 1944), poet, sportsman and journalist
• Hone Tuwhare (1922–2008), poet

U

• Makerita Urale (fl. 1990s), playwright, producer and documentary director

V

• Kathryn van Beek (born 1980/1981), short story writer, playwright, children's writer and illustrator
• Julius Vogel (1835–1899), politician and science-fiction novelist

W

• Arnold Wall (1869–1966), poet, academic, mountaineer, botanist, writer and radio broadcaster
• Dorothy Wall (1894–1942), children's author and illustrator
• Louise Wallace (born 1983), poet
• Alan Ward (1935–2014), historian and writer
• Gareth Ward (living), magician, hypnotist, storyteller, bookseller and writer
• Marilyn Waring (born 1952), politician and academic in feminist economics
• Kirsten Warner (born 1956), novelist, poet and journalist
• Enga Washbourn (1908–1988), non-fiction writer
• Joy Watson (born 1938), children's author
• Richard James Waugh (born 1957), minister, historian, aviation chaplain and writer
• Ian Wedde (born 1946), poet, fiction writer and critic
• Peter Wells (1950–2019), writer, filmmaker and historian
• Albert Wendt (born 1939), poet, novelist and academic
• Joyce West (1908–1985), novelist and children's writer
• Jessie Weston (1865–1939), novelist and journalist
• Tom Weston (born 1958), poet
• Philippa Werry (born 1958), writer
• Lydia Wevers (1950–2021), critic, historian and editor
• Mere Whaanga (born 1952), author and historian
• Reina Whaitiri (born 1943), scholar, essayist and poet
• Dorothy Neal White (1915–1995), librarian and writer
• Annabelle White (living), food writer
• Mabel Whitaker (1884–1976), teacher, local historian
• Emily White (1839–1936), gardener and writer
• Cherry Wilder (1930–2002), science fiction and fantasy writer
• Damien Wilkins (born 1963), fiction writer and poet
• Mark Williams (born 1951), poet, writer, academic, critic and editor
• Mona Williams (born 1943), children's author, memoirist, oral storyteller and writing teacher
• Guthrie Wilson (1914–1984), novelist and educator
• Helen Wilson (1869–1957), teacher, farmer, community leader and writer
• Vernice Wineera (born 1938), poet, editor and educator
• Iona Winter (living), poet, short fiction writer and editor
• Alison Wong (born 1960), poet and novelist
• Elizabeth Wong (living) retired official and fiction writer
• Susan Wood (1836–1880), poet and short-story writer
• Alice Woodhouse (1883–1977), librarian, journalist and broadcaster
• Sue Wootton (born 1961), poet and fiction writer
• Anne Eyre Worboys (1920–2007), romance and suspense novelist
• Niel Wright (born 1933), poet, literary critic, bibliographer and publisher

Y

• Sonja Yelich (born 1965), poet
• Ashleigh Young (born 1983), poet, essayist, editor and creative writing teacher

See also

• New Zealand literature
• List of New Zealand poets
• List of New Zealand women writers