# List of New Zealand women writers

This is a list of women writers who were born in New Zealand or whose lives and works are closely associated with that country.
* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* Q
* R
* S
* T
* V
* W
* X

## A

* Michèle A'Court (born 1961), comedian, memoirist and non-fiction writer
* Avis Acres (1910–1994), artist, writer, illustrator and conservationist
* Pip Adam, novelist, short story writer, and reviewer
* Catherine Adamson (1868–1925), diarist
* Fleur Adcock (1934–2024), poet and editor
* Pinky Agnew (born 1955), actor, author and social commentator
* Sarona Aiono-Iosefa (born 1962), children's fiction writer
* Vanessa Alexander, screenwriter, producer, director
* Margaret Alington (1920–2012), librarian, historian and writer
* Rosetta Allan (living), poet and novelist
* Pamela Allen (born 1934), children's writer and illustrator
* Michele Amas (1961–2016), poet, playwright and actress
* Barbara Anderson (1926–2013), novelist, short story writer
* Mona Anderson (1909–2004), memoirist, children's writer
* Isobel Andrews (1905–1990), playwright, poet, short story writer and novelist
* Michalia Arathimos (living), short story writer and novelist
* Sylvia Ashton-Warner (1908–1984), writer, poet and educator
* Tusiata Avia (born 1966), poet, children's writer

## B

* Annette Baier (1929–2012), philosopher and non-fiction writer
* Hinemoana Baker (born 1968), poet, teacher
* Louisa Alice Baker (1856–1926), journalist and novelist
* Philippa Ballantine (born 1971), novelist
* Serie Barford (fl. 2007), poet, short story writer
* Mary Anne Barker (1831–1911), journalist, poet and writer
* Miriam Barr (born 1982), poet
* Sarah Maria Barraud (c.1823–1895), letter writer
* Rachel Barrowman (born 1963), author and historian
* Amelia Batistich (1915–2004), novelist, short story writer and memoirist
* Blanche Edith Baughan (1870–1958), poet, writer and penal reformer
* Ann Beaglehole (born 1948), historian and novelist
* Helen Beaglehole (born 1946), children's writer and historian
* Fleur Beale (born 1945), teenage fiction writer
* Margaret Beames (born 1935), children's writer
* Airini Beautrais (born 1982), poet
* Marlene J Bennetts (born 1938), poet and children's author
* Ursula Bethell (1874–1945), poet and social worker
* Jean Betts (fl. 1970s), playwright
* Judith Binney (1940–2011), historian, academic and writer
* Hera Lindsay Bird (born 1987), poet
* Ellen Blackwell (1864–1952), writer and botanist
* Arapera Blank (1932–2002), poet and teacher
* Paula Boock (born 1964), writer and editor
* Jenny Bornholdt (born 1960), poet and children's writer
* Avice Maud Bowbyes (1901–1992), home science lecturer and writer
* Virginia Braun (fl. 2000s), gender studies expert, psychologist and non-fiction writer
* Freda Bream (1918–1996), teacher, novelist and non-fiction writer
* Diana Bridge (born 1942), poet
* Bub Bridger (1924–2009), poet and short story writer
* Adele Broadbent (born 1968), children's author
* Deidre Brown (born 1970), historian
* Diane Brown (born 1951), novelist and poet
* Helen Brown (born 1954), novelist and columnist
* Riwia Brown (born 1957), playwright
* Audrey Brown-Pereira (born 1975), poet, diplomat and public servant
* Harriet Louisa Browne (1829–1906), salon hostess, community leader and letter writer
* Rachel Buchanan (born 1968), author and historian
* Margaret Bullock (1845–1903), journalist, writer, feminist and reformer
* Norah Burnard (1902–1979), journal editor
* Rachel Bush (1941–2016), poet
* Dorothy Butler (1925–2015), children's writer, bookseller and memoirist

## C

* Dolce Ann Cabot (1862–1943), journalist, newspaper editor, feminist and teacher
* Judy Callingham (living), scriptwriter, television presenter and journalist
* Kirsty Cameron (living), screenwriter
* Kate Camp (born 1972) poet and essayist
* Meg Campbell (1937–2007), poet
* Sarah Campion (1906–2002), pseudonym of Mary Rose Alpers, novelist and social activist
* Una Carter (1890–1954), cookbook writer
* Christine Cole Catley (1922–2011), journalist, publisher and writer
* Eleanor Catton (born 1985), novelist and short story writer
* Frances Caverhill (1834–1897), diarist
* Lynda Chanwai-Earle (born 1966), poet, playwright and actress
* Janet Charman (born 1954) poet
* Brenda Chawner (fl. 2010s), library academic, editor and writer
* Frances Cherry (1937–2022), novelist, short story writer and children's writer
* Catherine Chidgey (born 1970), novelist and short story writer
* Daphne Clair (born 1939), romance novelist
* Kate Clark (1847–1926), children's writer, poet, artist and community worker
* Margaret Clark (born 1941), academic, editor and non-fiction writer
* Constance Clyde (1872–1951), journalist, essayist and writer
* Nellie Euphemia Coad (1883–1974), teacher, community leader and writer
* Gina Cole (born 1960), lawyer, short story writer and novelist
* Elizabeth Fairburn Colenso (1821–1904), missionary, teacher and Bible translator
* Jennifer Compton (born 1949), playwright, poet and short story writer
* Sandra Coney (born 1944), politician, feminist, historian and non-fiction writer
* Kay McKenzie Cooke (born 1953), poet
* Sue Copsey (born 1960), children's author and editor
* Judy Corbalis (fl. 1980s), novelist and short story wrilter
* Violet May Cottrell (1887–1971), poet and spiritualist
* Joy Cowley (born 1936), children's writer
* Rachael Craw, young adult writer
* Mary Cresswell (born 1937), science editor and poet
* Fiona Cross (fl. 2000s), arachnologist and non-fiction writer
* Majella Cullinane, poet and novelist
* Jackie Cumming (fl. 2000s), academic, health expert and non-fiction writer

## D

* Lois Daish (fl. 1960s), restaurateur, cookbook writer
* Debra Daley, novelist
* Ruth Dallas (1919–2008), poet and children's writer
* Winnie Davin (1909–1995), teacher, community worker, writer and editor
* Jackie Davis (born 1963), novelist and poet
* Kate De Goldi (born 1959), novelist, children's writer and short story writer
* Joan de Hamel (1924–2011), children's writer
* Stephanie de Montalk (born 1945), poet and biographer
* Elena de Roo (living), poet and children's author
* Pip Desmond, non-fiction author and journalist
* Jean Devanny (1894–1962), novelist and short story writer
* Gillian Dobbie (fl. 2000s), computer scientist, academic and non-fiction writer
* Lynley Dodd (born 1941), children's writer
* Robyn Donald (born 1940), novelist
* Melanie Drewery (born 1970), children's author and illustrator
* Joan Druett (born 1939), historical novelist and non-fiction writer
* Alison Edith Hilda Drummond (1903–1984), farmer, historian, writer and editor
* Marilyn Duckworth (born 1935), novelist, poet and short story writer
* Tessa Duder (born 1940), swimmer, young adult writer and non-fiction writer
* Yvonne du Fresne (1929–2011), short story writer, playwright and novelist
* Eileen Duggan (1894–1972), poet and journalist
* Kate Duignan (born 1974), novelist
* 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), novelist and short story writer
* Lynley Edmeades (living), poet, academic and editor
* Lauris Edmond (1924–2000), poet
* Mihi Edwards (1918–2008), memoirist
* Jill Eggleton (living), children's book author, teacher and education consultant
* Ellen Elizabeth Ellis (1829–1895), feminist and writer
* Barbara Else (born 1947), novelist, short story writer, editor and literary agent
* Bronwyn Elsmore (living), fiction and non-fiction writer and playwright
* Riemke Ensing (born 1939), poet and educator
* Margaret Escott (1908–1977), novelist, drama teacher and poet
* Barbara Ewing (born 1939), actress and writer

## F

* Jacqueline Fahey (born 1929), painter and writer
* Tracy Farr (born 1962), novelist and short story writer
* Fiona Farrell (born 1947), poet, novelist, short story writer and playwright
* Angie Farrow (born 1951), academic, playwright and writer for theatre and radio
* Laurence Fearnley (born 1963), short-story writer, novelist and non-fiction writer
* Gigi Fenster (born 1963/64), author, creative writing teacher and law lecturer
* Joan Fleming (born 1984), poet, non-fiction writer and academic
* Beryl Fletcher (1938–2018), novelist
* Tui Flower (1925–2017), food writer
* Mihingarangi Forbes (fl. 1990s), journalist and radio broadcaster
* Margot Forde (1935–1995), botanist, taxonomist and writer
* Michelanne Forster (born 1953), playwright and scriptwriter
* Dorothy Fowler (fl. 2009), novelist
* Janet Frame (1924–2004), novelist, poet, short story writer and children's writer
* Ruth France (1913–1968), librarian, poet and novelist
* Margaret Fraser (1866–1951), domestic servant and letter writer
* Anne French (born 1956), poet and editor
* Catherine Fulton (1829–1919), diarist, social reformer and suffragette

## G

* Ngāreta Gabel (born 1975), children's author
* Abby Gaines (fl. 2007), 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
* Frances Shayle George (c.1829–1890), teacher, 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
* Ruth Gilbert (1917–2016), poet
* Betty Gilderdale (1923–2021), children's book author
* Olivia Aroha Giles (fl. 2006), artist and writer
* Esther Glen (1881–1940), novelist, children's writer, journalist and community worker
* Alice Glenday (c. 1920–2004), novelist, short-story writer and playwright
* Charlotte Godley (1821–1907), letter writer and community leader
* Gaelyn Gordon (1939–1997), children's writer, crime fiction writer and short story writer
* Patricia Grace (born 1937), novelist, short-story writer, and children's author
* Grace Winifred Green (1907–1976), radio broadcaster and journalist
* Paula Green (born 1955) poet and children's author
* Lisa Greenwood (born 1955), novelist
* Charlotte Grimshaw (born 1966), novelist
* Edith Searle Grossmann (1863–1931), teacher, novelist, journalist and feminist
* Kirsty Gunn (born 1960), novelist and short-story writer

## H

* Mandy Hager (born 1960), novelist, young adult writer
* Bernadette Hall (born 1945), poet and editor
* Pip Hall (born 1971), playwright and scriptwriter
* Jane Elizabeth Harris (c.1853–1942), writer, lecturer and spiritualist
* Siobhan Harvey (born 1973), author, editor and creative writing lecturer
* Dinah Hawken (born 1943), poet
* Kathleen Hawkins (1883–1981), poet
* Catherine Hay (1910–1995), romance novelist
* Debbie Hay, molecular pharmacologist; non-fiction writer
* Karyn Hay (born 1959), writer, broadcaster
* 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), writer
* Mary St Domitille Hickey (1882–1958), nun, historian
* Sarah Higgins (1830–1923), midwife, community leader and writer
* Eva Hill (1898–1981), physician, writer and health campaigner
* Emma Hislop (living), short story writer
* Lucy Hockings (born c.1975), journalist and producer
* Liddy Holloway (1947–2004), actress and television scriptwriter
* Janet Holmes (born 1947), linguist, sociologist and non-fiction writer
* Ani Hona (1938–1997), short story writer, poet and biographer
* Lynley Hood (born 1942), biographer and non-fiction writer
* Philippa Howden-Chapman (fl. 2000s), academic, public health expert and non-fiction writer
* Edith Howes (1872–1954), teacher, writer and educationalist
* Keri Hulme (1947–2021), novelist and poet
* Eirlys Hunter (born 1952), writer and creative writing teacher
* Rosalind Hursthouse (born 1943), philosopher and non-fiction writer
* Jessica Hutchings (living), non-fiction writer
* Robin Hyde (1906–1939), poet and novelist
* Prue Hyman (born 1943), academic, feminist, economist and non-fiction writer

## I

* Catherine Lucy Innes (c.1840–1900), writer
* Fanny Irvine-Smith (1878–1948), teacher, lecturer and writer
* Kate Isitt (1876–1948), journalist and writer

## J

* Anna Jackson (born 1967), poet, fiction and non-fiction writer and academic
* Annamarie Jagose (born 1965), LGBT academic and novelist
* Florence James (1902–1993), writer and literary agent
* Lynn Jenner, poet and essayist
* Annaleese Jochems (born 1994), novelist
* Stephanie Johnson (born 1961), poet, playwright, and short story writer
* Alexa Johnston, biographer and food writer
* Christine Johnston (born 1950) novelist
* V. M. Jones (born 1958), children's writer
* Sherryl Jordan (born 1949), children's writer

## K

* Keri Kaa (born 1942), Māori language advocate, writer and educator
* Simone Kaho (born 1978), poet
* 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
* Amy Kane (1879–1979), journalist and community leader
* Merata Kawharu (fl. 1990s), writer and academic
* Sheridan Keith (born 1942), novelist, short-story writer, artist, broadcaster and curator
* Lindy Kelly (born 1952), short-story writer, children's writer, playwright and novelist
* 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 filmwriter
* Alice Annie Kenny (1875–1960), short-story writer and novelist
* Angela Kepler (born 1943), naturalist and writer
* Suzi Kerr (born 1966), economist, academic and non-fiction writer
* Fiona Kidman (born 1940), novelist, poet, scriptwriter and short-story writer
* Rachael King (born 1970), novelist and short-story writer
* Elizabeth Knox (born 1959), novelist, autobiographical novella writer and essayist
* Shonagh Koea (born 1939), novelist, short-story writer
* Saradha Koirala (born 1980), poet, writer and novelist

## L

* Sarah Laing (born 1973), author and cartoonist
* Annabel Langbein (fl. 1980s), cook, food writer and publisher
* Eve Langley (1904–1974), novelist and poet
* Michele Leggott (born 1956), poet and academic
* Colleen Maria Lenihan (living), short-story writer and screenwriter
* Louise Wareham Leonard (born 1965), novelist and poet
* Christine Leunens (born 1964), novelist
* June Margaret Litman (1926–1991), journalist
* Elsie Locke (1912–2001), poet, novelist, children's writer, non-fiction writer and feminist
* Jean Lonie (1930–1997), poet and teacher
* Judith Lonie (1935–1982), poet
* Helen Lowe (born 1961), novelist
* Brigid Lowry (born 1953), children's and young adult author
* Rose Lu (born 1990), non-fiction writer
* Edith Joan Lyttleton (1873–1945), novelist and short story writer

## M

* Claire Mabey (living), children's writer and editor
* Charlotte Macdonald (fl. 1990s), historian and non-fiction writer
* Rebecca Macfie, non-fiction author and journalist
* Juliette MacIver (living), children's picture book author
* Jessie Mackay (1864–1938), poet
* Katrine Mackay (1864–1944), journalist and cook
* Anna Mackenzie (born 1963), children's and young adult writer
* Hester Maclean (1859–1932), nurse, matron and autobiographer
* Shirley Maddock (1928–2001), producer, television presenter, author and actress
* Margaret Mahy (1936–2012), children's and young adult writer
* Emilie Monson Malcolm (c.1830–1905), writer
* Clare Mallory (1913–1991), children's writer
* Tina Makereti (living), novelist, essayist, and short story writer, editor and creative writing teacher
* Becky Manawatu (born 1982), novelist
* Jane Mander (1877–1949), novelist and journalist
* Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923), modernist and short story writer
* Celia Manson (1908–1987), non-fiction writer, children's writer, journalist and broadcaster
* Juliet Marillier (born 1948), novelist
* Janice Marriott (born 1946), children's writer, screenwriter and poet
* Ngaio Marsh (1895–1982), crime writer
* Selina Tusitala Marsh (born 1971), poet
* Talia Marshall (born 1978), essay writer, poet and short-story writer
* Mary Ann Martin (1817–1884), community leader, teacher and writer
* Kāterina Mataira (1932–2011), Māori language proponent, educator, intellectual, artist and writer
* Sarah Louise Mathew (c.1805–1890), diarist
* Peta Mathias (fl. 1990s), food writer and television presenter
* Tina Matthews (born 1961), children's writer, illustrator
* Gill Matthewson (fl. 1980s), architect, educator and writer
* Muriel Wallace May (1897–1982), teacher, school principal and writer
* Cath Mayo, children's, young adults' and adult novelist
* Rachel McAlpine (born 1940), poet, playwright, novelist and non-fiction writer
* Janet McCallum (1947–2015), non-fiction writer and journalist
* Mary McCallum (born 1961), poet, novelist, children's author, songwriter, editor and publisher
* Sue McCauley (born 1941), novelist, short story writer, playwright, journalist and screenwriter
* Lyn McConchie (born 1946), novelist and children's writer
* Carolyn McCurdie poet, children's and short story writer
* 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
* Rosemary McLeod (born 1949), writer, journalist and cartoonist
* Frankie McMillan (born 1950), writer of poetry, fiction and flash fiction
* Linda McNabb (born 1963), children's writer
* 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 short story author
* Elizabeth Messenger (1908–1965), journalist, cookery writer and crime novelist
* Rowan Metcalfe (1955–2003), novelist, short-story writer, poet, editor and journalist
* Miriam Meyerhoff (fl. 2000s), sociolinguist and non-fiction writer
* Karlo Mila (fl. 2003), poet
* Antonija Mitrović (fl. 1990s), computer scientist and non-fiction writer
* Tze Ming Mok (born 1978), fiction writer and sociopolitical commentator
* Tapu Misa (fl. 2010s), journalist
* Pérrine Moncrieff (1883–1979), writer and conservationist
* Kelly Ana Morey (born 1968), novelist and poet
* Paula Morris (born 1965), novelist and short story writer
* Elsie K. Morton (1885–1968), journalist and writer
* Jessie Munro (born 1946), writer, biographer and French teacher
* Shirley Murray (1931–2020), hymn writer
* Margaret Mutu (fl. 2000s), activist and writer

## N

* Elizabeth Nannestad (born 1956), poet
* Susan Napier (born 1954), romance novelist
* Sheila Natusch (1926–2017), writer and illustrator
* Emma Neale (born 1969), novelist and poet
* Lino Nelisi (born 1952), children's author
* Marjory Nicholls (1890–1930), poet, teacher and drama producer
* Jay Nieuwland (born 1990), poet
* Mikaela Nyman (born 1966), novelist, poet and journalist

## O

* Susan Moller Okin (1946–2004), philosopher and non-fiction writer
* Gloria Olive (1923–2006), mathematician and non-fiction writer
* Linda Olsson (born 1948), novelist
* Claudia Orange (born 1938), historian and non-fiction writer
* Margaret Orbell (1935–2006), author, editor and academic
* Sue Orr (born 1962), short story writer and novelist
* Joanna Orwin (born 1944), fiction and non-fiction writer for adults and children

## P

* Makereti Papakura (1873–1930), entertainer and ethnographer
* Ruth Park (1917–2010), novelist, short story writer and children's writer
* Lorae Parry (fl. 1990s), playwright
* Jenny Pattrick (born 1936), novelist
* Evelyn Patuawa-Nathan (fl. 1979), writer
* Isabel Peacocke (1881–1973), teacher, novelist and broadcaster
* Helen Pearse-Otene (living), playwright, screenwriter and novelist
* Nicky Pellegrino (born 1964), novelist
* Emily Perkins (born 1970), novelist
* Dianne Ruth Pettis (1955–2008), novelist and journalist
* April Phillips (fl. 1990s), actress, writer, singer and film producer
* Leonie Pihama (fl. 1990s), researcher, academic and non-fiction writer
* Vivienne Plumb (born 1955), poet, playwright, novelist and editor
* Michele Powles (born 1976), novelist, playwright, and non-fiction writer
* Nina Mingya Powles (born 1993), poet and essayist
* Joanna Preston (born 1972), poet and editor
* Chris Price (born 1962), poet, editor and creative writing teacher
* Rebecca Priestley (fl. 1990s), academic, science historian and non-fiction writer
* Erenora Puketapu-Hetet (1941–2006), weaver and writer
* Elizabeth Pulford (born 1943), writer of fiction, poetry and non-fiction for children, teenagers and adults

## Q

* Alison Quigan (fl. 1980s), actress, theatre 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
* Charlotte Randall (fl. 1990s), novelist
* Beverley Randell (born 1931), children's writer
* Jo Randerson (born 1973), writer, playwright and actress
* Lizzie Rattray (1855–1931), journalist, suffragist and welfare worker
* Gloria Rawlinson (1918–1995), poet, novelist, short story writer and editor
* Annie Lee Rees (1849–1949), writer, teacher, lawyer and community leader
* Rosemary Frances Rees (1875–1963), actress, theatre producer and novelist
* Amber Reeves (1887–1981), feminist, writer and scholar
* Sue Reidy, author and designer
* Rebecca K Reilly (born 1991), novelist
* Paddy Richardson (fl. 2000), novelist and short story writer
* Mary Richmond (1853–1949), community leader, teacher and writer
* Catherine Robertson (born 1966), novelist
* Violet Augusta Roche (1885–1967), journalist and welfare worker
* Hilda Rollett (1873–1970), teacher, journalist and writer
* Joan Rosier-Jones (born 1940), novelist, playwright, short story writer, non-fiction writer and teacher
* Tania Roxborogh (born 1965), teacher, novelist and non-fiction writer

## S

* Fiona Samuel (born 1961), playwright, writer, actress and director
* Maria Samuela (born 1972), short story and children's writer
* Nora Sanderson (1905–1975), romance novelist, children's book writer and short-story writer
* Elspeth Sandys (born 1940), novelist, poet, and short story author
* Nelle Scanlan (1882–1968), journalist and novelist
* Margaret Scott (1928–2014), writer, editor, librarian and Katherine Mansfield scholar
* Mary Scott (1888–1979), teacher and novelist
* Mary-anne Scott, writer and musician
* Robyn Scott (born 1981), writer and entrepreneur
* Rosie Scott (1948–2017), novelist and lecturer
* Helen Lilian Shaw (1913–1985), short story writer, poet and editor
* Tina Shaw (born 1961), novelist and children's writer
* Tracey Slaughter (born 1972), poet and short-story writer
* Adrienne Simpson (1943–2010), broadcaster, historian, musicologist and writer
* Nalini Singh (born 1977), romance novelist
* Anna Smaill (born 1979), poet and novelist
* Elizabeth Smither (born 1941), poet and novelist
* Ruby Solly (born 1996), poet, academic and scriptwriter
* Laura Solomon (1974–2019), novelist, playwright and poet
* Eileen Louise Soper (1900–1989), journalist and Girl Guide commissioner
* Māmari Stephens (fl. 2010s), legal academic, lexicographer and non-fiction writer
* Adela Blanche Stewart (1846–1910), homemaker and writer
* Olga Stringfellow (born 1923), journalist and novelist
* Jacquie Sturm (1927–2009), poet and short story writer
* Laura Jane Suisted (1840–1903), writer, journalist and parliamentary reporter
* Essie Summers (1912–1998), romance novelist
* Barbara Sumner-Burstyn (fl. 2000s), film producer and writer
* Fiona Sussman (born 1965), novelist and short story writer
* Vanda Symon (born 1969), crime novelist and radio host
* Melinda Szymanik (born 1963), children's author

## T

* Tamairangi (fl. 1820), tribal leader and poet
* Leilani Tamu, poet
* Violet Targuse (1884–1937), playwright
* Anna Taylor (born 1982), short story author
* 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
* Margaret Tennant (fl. 1980s), historian and non-fiction writer
* Brianne Te Paa (born 1984), children's author
* Ngaire Thomas (1943–2012), writer
* Kirsten Moana Thompson (born 1964), non-fiction writer
* Tayi Tibble (born 1995), poet
* Ariana Tikao (born 1971), non-fiction writer, musician and research librarian
* Mona Tracy (1882–1959), poet, short story writer, novelist and community worker
* Jill Trevelyan (born 1963), art historian and non-fiction writer

## 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

## W

* Dorothy Wall (1894–1942), children's writer and illustrator
* Louise Wallace (born 1983), poet
* Marilyn Waring (born 1952), feminist, politician and writer
* Kirsten Warner (born 1956), novelist, poet and journalist
* Enga Washbourn (1908–1988), non-fiction writer
* Joy Watson (born 1938), children's writer
* Joyce West (1908–1985), novelist and children's writer
* Jessie Weston (1865–1939), novelist and journalist
* Philippa Werry (born 1958), writer
* Lydia Wevers (1950–2021), literary critic, English language literary historian, editor and book reviewer
* Mere Whaanga (born 1952), author and historian
* Reina Whaitiri (born 1943), scholar, essayist and poet
* Mabel Whitaker (1884–1976), teacher and local historian
* Annabelle White (living), food writer
* Dorothy Mary Neal White (1915–1995), librarian and writer
* Emily White (1839–1936), gardener and writer
* Cherry Wilder (1930–2002), short story writer and science fiction novelist
* Mona Williams (born 1943), children's author, memoirist, oral storyteller and writing teacher
* Helen Wilson (1869–1957), teacher, farmer, community leader and writer
* Vernice Wineera (born 1938), poet, editor and educator
* Iona Winter (fl 2015), poet, editor
* Alison Wong (born 1960), poet and novelist
* Elizabeth Wong (born 1937), politician and novelist
* Susan Wood (1836–1880), writer
* Alice Woodhouse (1883–1977), librarian, journalist and broadcaster
* Sue Wootton (born 1961), poet and short story writer
* Anne Eyre Worboys (1920–2007), novelist

## Y

* Sonja Yelich (born 1965), poet