Messy Press is a new, independent children’s publishing studio, based in New Zealand. Our mission is to create joyful and engaging books that children will love and parents will love reading. We specialise in illustrated non-fiction, gift and activity books that will inspire young, creative minds.
Erica Harrison, Co-founder / Artistic Director
erica@messy-press.com
Adam Thompson, Co-founder / Editorial Director
adam@messy-press.com
Website: https://messy-press.com/
In 2000, we established this charitable trust to deliver programmes that promote and foster Māori literature and its place in the literature of the nation. Guided by our own cultural values, we seek to grow Māori writers’ skills, confidence and opportunity. We encourage Māori writers to stand tall as Māori and to support each other and become a strong force within the literary community of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Contact
Eise Adams – Operations Manager
elise.adams@mlt.org.nz
Address
PO Box 12280, Thorndon, Wellington
www.mlt.org.nz
Name: Dahlia Malaeulu
Role: Publisher
Company: Mila’s Books
My first job in publishing was: Unexpectedly being asked to be a cultural editor and advisor but in terms of Pasifika publishing, accessing and supporting the development of untold stories.
I’m currently reading: a – wake – (e)nd by Audrey Brown-Pereira (Saufo’i Press) #AMustRead!
My biggest career highlight(s) in publishing have been: Working with an amazing all Pasifika publishing team. Meeting and working alongside people who truly understand the work we do to highlight the power of our stories as Pasifika. The overwhelming feedback we receive from tamaiti, parents, schools and organsations about how our stories help Pasifika to feel seen, heard and valued.
Mila’s BooksWe create Pasifika children’s books that help our tamaiti to be seen, heard and valued in the worlds they live in. This is why our stories help to develop cultural confidence, connections, understanding and are, Tusi faitau for all the fanau – Story books for all the family.
Mila’s Books
https://milasbooks.com/
Dahlia Malaeulu
milasbks@gmail.com
Name: Sue Wootton
Role:Publisher
Company: Otago University Press
My first job in publishing was: This job! Although I have been involved as a freelancer and a writer for many years.
I’m currently reading: Dunce by Mary Ruefle, From the Centre: A writer’s life by Patricia Grace and the first of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels.
My biggest career highlight in publishing has been: Difficult to choose but so far this year it would have to be phoning Joanna Preston to let her know that tumble had made the shortlist for the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry in the 2022 Ockham NZ Book Awards.
Nicola Jae Storybooks came about, when one day, a single idea for a storyline, unique and original, came to mind and Nicola felt compelled to write it.
Since then, Nicola has imagined remarkable children’s picture storybooks. She’s been excited and delighted that her storybooks are out in the world to be loved and enjoyed by every child.
Nicola Whitley
nicola@nicolajaestorybooks.com
Phone: +64 21 280 5984
Website: nicolajaestorybooks.com
A Wellington-based author, editor, and publicist whose written work appears in several anthologies, two online magazines, and an online journal. As an editor and publicist, Ryn Richmond Writes has worked on academic articles, newsletters, and books.
For contact details visit www.rynrichmondwrites.com
OneTree House is a New Zealand independent children’s, young adult and educational book publisher
Their titles emanate from a wealth of award-winning talent, and include picture books, junior fiction, middle fiction and young adult novels, from authors such as Kyle Mewburn, Mary-anne Scott, Brian Falkner, Tina Shaw, Sherryl Jordan, Diana Menefy and Tanya Batt.
They also publish books for the education sector with non-fiction titles on a range of topics and bilingual reprints of much-loved picture books.
Christine Dale
info@onetree-house.com
Website: www.onetree-house.com
PO Box 11745, Ellerslie 1542, Auckland, New Zealand
Mākaro Press’ focus is on publishing NZ fiction, poetry and children’s books, but we also have some non-fiction titles including memoir, biography and journalism. Our books are marketed to booksellers by Greene Phoenix Marketing and distributed by PDL.
We have three imprints:
Mākaro titles are fully supported by our press in the traditional way and are spearheaded by our Mākaro Fiction titles. There are also some children’s and non-fiction titles.
HOOPLA is a poetry series fully supported by our press, releasing a set of three books every April: one by a late career poet, one by a mid-career poet, and the third by a first-timer.
The Submarine imprint is for our books published with the author contributing towards the costs. Usually this pays for the first print run, but can involve contributions to the editorial or design work depending on the project. Our Submarine books are selected for publication and designed, edited, published and marketed to the same high standards as our Mākaro titles, with Mākaro Press making the final decisions. They are a way for a small press to produce more excellent books. Submarine Poetry spearheads this group.
Mary McCallum & Paul Stewart
makaropress@gmail.com
Phone: 04 471 0822 | mob: 027 600 3313 (Mary)
Level 6, 138 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Mail: P O Box 9321, Te Aro, Wellington 6141
Web: www.makaropress.co.nz
Massey University Press is an award-winning independent publisher. Its list ranges from history and social work to design, poetry, biography, children’s books (under the Annual Ink imprint), art and military history.
Nicola Legat (Publisher)
Email: n.legat@massey.ac.nz
Phone: 09 213-6886
Website: www.masseypress.ac.nz
Massey University Press
Private Bag 102904
North Shore 0745
Phone 09 213-6886
Sales
Archetype Book Reps
Neilb@archetype.co.nz
© 2025 Publishers Association of New Zealand Inc.
