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

• Andrea Jutson (fl. 2005), crime novelist

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

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

• 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