List of New Zealand women writers

A

• Avis Acres, artist, writer, illustrator and conservationist
• Pip Adam, novelist, short story writer, and reviewer
• Catherine Mary Ann Adamson, Australian-born New Zealand diarist
• Fleur Adcock, poet and editor
• Pinky Agnew, actor, author and social commentator
• Sarona Aiono-Iosefa, children's fiction writer
• Margaret Alington, librarian, historian and writer
• Pamela Allen, children's writer and illustrator
• Barbara Anderson, novelist, short story writer
• Catherine Ann Andersen, teacher, community leader and writer
• Isabella Smith Andrews, Scottish-born New Zealand writer
• Sylvia Ashton-Warner, writer, poet and educator
• Tusiata Avia, poet, children's writer

  B

• Annette Baier, philosopher and non-fiction writer
• Hinemoana Baker, poet, teacher
• Louisa Alice Baker, British-born New Zealand journalist and novelist
• Philippa Ballantine, novelist
• Serie Barford, poet, sort story writer
• Mary Anne Barker, Jamaican-born New Zealand journalist, poet and writer
• Miriam Barr, poet
• Sarah Maria Barraud, British-born New Zealand letter writer
• Rachel Barrowman author and historian
• Blanche Edith Baughan, British-born New Zealand poet, writer and penal reformer
• Fleur Beale, teenage fiction writer
• Margaret Beames, children's writer
• Airini Beautrais, poet
• Ursula Bethell, British-born New Zealand poet and social worker
• Jean Betts, British-born New Zealand playwright
• Judith Binney, historian, academic and writer
• Hera Lindsay Bird, poet
• Ellen Wright Blackwell, British-born New Zealand writer and botanist
• Arapera Hineira Kaa Blank, Māori poet and teacher
• Jenny Bornholdt, poet and children's writer
• Paula Boock, writer and editor
• Avice Maud Bowbyes, home science lecturer and writer
• Virginia Braun, gender studies expert, psychologist and non-fiction writer
• Freda Bream, teacher, novelist and non-fiction writer
• Bub Bridger, poet and short story writer
• Adele Broadbent, children's author
• Deidre Brown, historian
• Audrey Brown-Pereira, poet, diplomat and public servant
• Diane Brown, novelist and poet
• Helen Brown, novelist and columnist
• Riwia Brown, playwright
• Harriet Louisa Browne, Scottish-born New Zealand salon hostess, community leader and letter writer
• Margaret Bullock, journalist, writer, feminist and reformer
• Dorothy Butler, children's writer, bookseller and memoirist

  C

• Dolce Ann Cabot, journalist, newspaper editor, feminist and teacher
• Meg Campbell, poet
• Eleanor Catton, Canadian-born New Zealand novelist and short story writer
• Hannah Rebecca Frances Caverhill, diarist
• Christine Cole Catley, journalist, publisher and writer
• Kate Camp poet and essayist
• Lynda Chanwai-Earle, poet, playwright and actress
• Janet Charman poet
• Brenda Chawner, novelist and short story writer
• Daphne Clair, romance novelist
• Margaret Clark, academic, editor and non-fiction writer
• Constance Clyde, Scottish-born New Zealand journalist, essayist and writer
• Nellie Euphemia Coad, teacher, community leader and writer
• Elizabeth Fairburn Colenso, missionary, teacher and Bible translator
• Kay McKenzie Cooke, poet
• Jennifer Compton, playwright, poet and short story writer, emigrated to Australia
• Sandra Coney, politician, feminist, historian and non-fiction writer
• Judy Corbalis, novelist and short story writer
• Violet May Cottrell, poet and spiritualist
• Joy Cowley, children's writer
• Rachael Craw, young adults' writer
• Fiona Cross, arachnologist and non-fiction writer
• Majella Cullinane, Irish-born New Zealand poet and novelist
• Jackie Cumming, academic, health expert and non-fiction writer

  D

• Lois Daish, restaurateur, cookbook writer
• Debra Daley, novelist
• Ruth Dallas, poet and children's writer
• Winnie Davin, teacher, community worker, writer and editor
• Jackie Davis, novelist and poet
• Kate De Goldi, children's writer, short story writer
• Stephanie de Montalk poet and biographer
• Joan de Hamel, children's writer
• Pip Desmond, non-fiction author and journalist
• Jean Devanny, New Zealand-born Australian novelist and short story writer
• Gillian Dobbie, computer scientist, academic and non-fiction writer
• Lynley Dodd, children's writer
• Robyn Donald, novelist
• Alison Edith Hilda Drummond, farmer, historian, writer and editor
• Joan Druett, historical novelist and non-fiction writer
• Yvonne du Fresne, short story writer, playwright and novelist
• Kate Duignan, novelist
• Marilyn Duckworth, novelist, poet and short story writer
• Tessa Duder, swimmer, young peoples' writer and non-fiction writer
• Eileen Duggan, poet and journalist
• Elizabeth Geertruida Agatha Dyson, journalist and magazine editor

  E

• Lauris Edmond, poet
• Dorothy Eden, novelist and short story writer
• Ellen Elizabeth Ellis, British-born New Zealand feminist and writer
• Barbara Else, novelist, short story writer, editor and literary agent
• Riemke Ensing, Dutch-born New Zealand poet and educator
• Cicely Margaret Escott, novelist, drama teacher and poet
• Barbara Ewing, New Zealand-born UK-based actress and writer

  F

• Jacqueline Fahey, painter and writer
• Fiona Farrell, poet, novelist, short story writer and playwright
• Angie Farrow, academic, playwright and writer for theatre and radio
• Beryl Fletcher, novelist
• Tui Flower, food writer
• Mihingarangi Forbes, journalist and radio broadcaster
• Margot Forde, botanist, taxonomist and writer
• Michelanne Forster, American-born New Zealand playwright and scriptwriter
• Dorothy Fowler, novelist
• Janet Frame, novelist, poet, short story writer and children's writer
• Ruth France, librarian, poet and novelist
• Margaret Fraser, domentic servant and letter writer
• Anne French, poet and editor
• Catherine Fulton, diarist, social reformer and suffragette

  G

• Abby Gaines, romance novelist
• Kathleen Gallagher, playwright, filmmaker, poet, and novelist
• Rhian Gallagher, poet
• Elizabeth Anne Gard'ner, home science teacher and writer
• Frances Shayle George, teacher, writer
• Ivy Gibbs, probably English-born New Zealand poet and children's writer
• Ruth Gilbert, poet
• Olivia Aroha Giles, Māori artist and writer
• Betty Gilderdale, children's book author
• Esther Glen, novelist, children's writer, journalist and community worker
• Charlotte Godley, letter writer and community leader
• Patricia Grace, Māori writer of novels, short stories, and children's books
• Grace Winifred Green, radio broadcaster and journalist
• Paula Green poet and children's author
• Charlotte Grimshaw, novelist
• Edith Searle Grossmann, teacher, novelist, journalist and feminist
• Kirsty Gunn, novelist and short story writer

  H

• Mandy Hager, novelist, young adults' writer
• Bernadette Hall, poet and editor
• Pip Hall, playwright and scriptwriter
• Jane Elizabeth Harris, British-born New Zealand writer, lecturer and spiritualist
• Kathleen Hawkins, poet
• Catherine Hay, romance novelist
• Karyn Hay, writer, broadcaster
• Helen Heath, poet
• Christina Henderson, Australian-born New Zealand teacher, feminist, prohibitionist, social reformer and editor
• Ellen Anne Hewett, Jersey-born New Zealand writer
• Mary St Domitille Hickey, nun, historian
• Sarah Higgins, midwife, community leader and writer
• Eva Hill, physician, writer and health compaigner
• Lucy Hockings, journalist and producer
• Liddy Holloway, actress and television scriptwriter
• Janet Holmes, linguist, sociologist and non-fiction writer
• Lynley Hood, biographer and non-fiction writer
• Philippa Howden-Chapman, academic, public health expert and non-fiction writer
• Edith Howes, British-born New Zealand teacher, writer and educationalist
• Keri Hulme, novelist
• Rosalind Hursthouse, philosopher and non-fiction writer
• Robin Hyde, South African-born New Zealand poet and novelist
• Prue Hyman, academic, feminist, economist and non-fiction writer

  I

• Catherine Lucy Innes, British-born New Zealand writer
• Fanny Irvine-Smith, teacher, lecturer and writer
• Kate Isitt, journalist and writer

  J

• Annamarie Jagose, LGBT academic and novelist
• Florence James, New Zealand-born Australian writer and literary agent
• Lynn Jenner, poet and essayist
• Alexa Johnston, biographer and food writer
• Christine Johnston novelist
• Stephanie Johnson, poet, playwright, and short story writer
• V. M. Jones, Zambian-born New Zealand children's writer
• Sherryl Jordan, children's writer
• Andrea Jutson, crime novelist

  K

• Keri Kaa, Māori language advocate, writer and educator
• Amy Kane, journalist and community leader
• Merata Kawharu, Māori writer and academic
• Lindy Kelly, short story writer, children's writer, playwright and novelist
• Elizabeth Kelso, journalist, editor and community leader
• Anne Kennedy, novelist, poet and filmwriter
• Alice Annie Kenny, short story writer and novelist
• Angela Kepler, naturalist and writer
• Suzi Kerr, economist, academic and non-fiction writer
• Fiona Kidman, novelist, poet, scriptwriter and short story writer
• Rachael King, novelist and short story writer
• Elizabeth Knox, novelist, autobiographical novella writer and essayist
• Shonagh Koea, novelist, short story writer
• Saradha Koirala, poet, writer and novelist

  L

• Sarah Laing is an author and cartoonist
• Annabel Langbein, cook, food writer and publisher
• Eve Langley, novelist and poet
• Michele Leggott, poet and academic
• June Margaret Litman, journalist
• Elsie Locke, poet, novelist, children's writer, non-fiction writer and feminist
• Helen Lowe, novelist
• Brigid Lowry, children and young adult author
• Edith Joan Lyttleton, Australian-born New Zealand novelist and short story writer

  M

• Mary McCallum, poet, novelist, children's author, songwriter, editor and publisher
• Charlotte Macdonald, historian and non-fiction writer
• Rebecca Macfie, non-fiction author and journalist
• Catherine Julia Mackay, Australian-born New Zealand journalist and cook
• Jessie Mackay, poet
• Anna Mackenzie, children's and YA writer
• Hester Maclean, Australian-born New Zealand nurse, matron and autobiographer
• Margaret Mahy, children's and young adults' writer
• Jane Mander, novelist and journalist
• Juliet Marillier, novelist
• Selina Tusitala Marsh, New Zealand poet laureate 2017
• Muriel Wallace May, teacher, school principal and writer
• Emilie Monson Malcolm, writer
• Clare Mallory, children's writer
• Katherine Mansfield, modernist and short story writer
• Janice Marriott, children's writer, screenwriter and poet
• Ngaio Marsh, crime writer
• Mary Ann Martin, British-born New Zealand community leader, teacher and writer
• Kāterina Mataira, Māori language proponent, educator, intellectual, artist and writer
• Sarah Louise Mathew, British-born New Zealand diarist
• Peta Mathias, food writer and television presenter
• Tina Matthews, children's writer, illustrator
• Gill Matthewson, architect, educator and writer
• Cath Mayo, children's, young adults' and adult novelist
• Rachel McAlpine, poet, playwright, novelist and non-fiction writer
• Mary McCallum, novelist, short story writer, poet, and journalist
• Sue McCauley, novelist, short story writer, playwright, journalist and screenwriter
• Lyn McConchie, novelist and children's writer
• Carolyn McCurdie poet, children's and short story writer
• Jill McDonald, New Zealand-born UK-based children's writer and illustrator
• Shona McFarlane, artist, journalist and broadcaster
• Rosemary McLeod, writer, journalist and cartoonist
• Linda McNabb, British-born New Zealand children's writer
• Cilla McQueen, British-born New Zealand poet
• Courtney Sina Meredith, poet, playwright, and short story author
• Elizabeth Messenger, journalist, cookery writer and crime novelist
• Miriam Meyerhoff, sociolinguist and non-fiction writer
• Karlo Mila, poet
• Antonija Mitrović, Serbian-born New Zealand computer scientist and non-fiction writer
• Tze Ming Mok, fiction writer and sociopolitical commentator
• Pérrine Moncrieff, British-born writer and conservationist
• Paula Morris, novelist and short story writer
• Elsie K. Morton, journalist and writer
• Shirley Murray, hymn writer
• Margaret Mutu, Māori activist and writer

  N

• Elizabeth Nannestad, poet
• Susan Napier, romance novelist
• Sheila Natusch, writer and illustrator
• Emma Neale, novelist and poet
• Lino Nelisi, children's author
• Marjory Nicholls, poet, teacher and drama producer

  O

• Susan Moller Okin, philosopher and non-fiction writer
• Gloria Olive, American-born New Zealand mathematician and non-fiction writer
• Linda Olsson, Swedish-born New Zealand novelist
• Claudia Orange, historian and non-fiction writer
• Sue Orr, short story writer and novelist

  P

• Makereti Papakura, entertainer and ethnographer
• Ruth Park, New Zealand-born Australian novelist, short story writer and children's writer
• Lorae Parry, Australian-born New Zealand playwright
• Jenny Pattrick, novelist
• Evelyn Patuawa-Nathan, Māori writer
• Isabel Peacocke, teacher, novelist and broadcaster
• Emily Perkins, novelist
• Dianne Ruth Pettis, novelist and journalist
• April Phillips, British-born New Zealand actress, writer, singer and film producer
• Leonie Pihama, Māori researcher, academic and non-fiction writer
• Vivienne Plumb, Australian-born New Zealand poet, playwright, novelist and editor
• Rebecca Priestley, academic, science historian and non-fiction writer
• Erenora Puketapu-Hetet, Māori weaver and writer
• Elizabeth Pulford, writer of fiction, poetry and non-fiction for children, teenagers and adults

  Q

• Alison Quigan, actress, theatre director and playwright

  R

• Maggie Rainey-Smith, novelist, poet, short story writer, essayist and reviewer
• Beverley Randell, children's writer
• Charlotte Randall, novelist
• Jo Randerson, writer, playwright and actress
• Lizzie Frost Rattray, journalist, suffragist and welfare worker
• Gloria Jasmine Rawlinson, Tongan-born New Zealand poet, novelist, short story writer and editor
• Annie Lee Rees, Australian-born New Zealand writer, teacher, lawyer and community leader
• Rosemary Frances Rees, actress, theatre producer and novelist
• Amber Reeves, New Zealand-born British feminist, writer and scholar
• Mary Richmond, community leader, teacher and writer
• Paddy Richardson, novelist and short story writer
• Sue Reidy, author and designer
• Catherine Robertson, novelist
• Violet Augusta Roche, journalist and welfare worker
• Hilda Rollett, teacher, journalist and writer
• Joan Rosier-Jones, novelist, playwright, short story writer, non-fiction writer and teacher
• Tania Roxborogh, teacher, novelist and non-fiction writer

  S

• Fiona Samuel, playwright, writer, actress and director
• Elspeth Sandys, novelist, poet, and short story author
• Nelle Scanlan, journalist and novelist
• Mary Edith Scott, teacher and novelist
• Mary-anne Scott, writer and musician
• Robyn Scott, British-born New Zealand writer and entrepreneur
• Rosie Scott, novelist and lecturer
• Tina Shaw, novelist and children's writer
• Helen Lilian Shaw, short story writer, poet and editor
• Nalini Singh, romance novelist
• Anna Smaill, poet and novelist
• Elizabeth Smither, poet
• Laura Solomon, novelist, playwright and poet
• Eileen Louise Soper, Australian-born New Zealand journalist and Girl Guide commissioner
• Mamari Stephens, Māori law academic, lexicographer and non-fiction writer
• Adela Blanche Stewart, homemaker and writer
• Olga Stringfellow, journalist and novelist
• Jacqueline Sturm, poet and short story writers
• Laura Jane Suisted, writer, journalist and parliamentary reporter
• Essie Summers, romance novelist
• Barbara Sumner-Burstyn, film producer and writer
• Vanda Symon, crime novelist and radio host

  T

• Tamairangi, tribal leader and poet
• Leilani Tamu, poet
• Violet Targuse, playwright
• Anna Taylor, short story author
• Grace Taylor, poet
• Renee Taylor, feminist writer and playwright
• Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, Māori cultural academic and non-fiction writer
• Margaret Tennant, historian and non-fiction writer
• Ngaire Thomas, writer
• Kirsten Moana Thompson, non-fiction writer
• Mona Innis Tracy, Australian-born New Zealand poet, short story writer, novelist and community worker
• Jill Trevelyan, art historian and non-fiction writer

  U

• Makerita Urale, playwright, producer and documentary director

  W

• Dorothy Wall, children's writer and illustrator
• Louise Wallace, New Zealand poet
• Marilyn Waring, feminist, politician and writer
• Joy Watson, children's writer
• Kristina Webb, artist and writer
• Joyce West, novelist and children's writer
• Lydia Wevers, literary critic, English language literary historian, editor and book reviewer
• Dorothy Mary Neal White, librarian and writer
• Emily Louisa Merielina White, British-born New Zealand gardener and writer
• Cherry Wilder, short story writer and science fiction novelist
• Helen Wilson, teacher, farmer, community leader and writer
• Annabelle White, cookbook writer
• Alison Wong, poet and novelist
• Elizabeth Wong, Chinese-born Australian-based New Zealand politician and novelist
• Susan Wood, Australian-born New Zealand writer
• Alice Woodhouse, librarian, journalist and broadcaster
• Sue Wootton, poet and short story writer
• Anne Eyre Worboys, New Zealand-born British novelist

  Y

• Sonja Yelich, poet