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

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 (born 1934), 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

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

See also