Diane and Gary Hebley Aotearoa New Zealand children’s literature collection

Andrew Henry recording the podcast track, Photographer: Julian Lubin, 2026.

Last year we were offered a special donation of Aotearoa New Zealand children’s books from Diane and Gary Hebley.

Diane and Gary, writer and illustrator, wife and husband, have been involved for many years in reading, creating, teaching and writing about NZ books for children. In 1997 they received the New Zealand Children’s Literature Association’s Joint Award for Distinguished Services to Children’s Literature - now known as the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award. Diane was awarded the first doctorate in Aotearoa on children’s literature, culminating in her book, The Power of Place: Landscape in NZ Children’s Fiction, 1970-1989 (1998). 

We discussed the collection in the podcast below:

 

Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · NZ children's book collections with Andrew Henry

Whilst the library only very selectively accepts offers of formed research collections there were many reasons why this one was accepted:

The condition of the books was excellent; many were in mint condition and also had dust jackets; they were mostly first editions; there was a good proportion that contained an inscription or were signed by the author; and, most importantly, they filled a gap in our heritage children’s book collection.  

This photograph shows the donation in its entirely after it had been through our quarantine system and before it was catalogued.

Diane & Gary Hebley collection awaiting cataloguing. Photographer: Andrew Henry, 2025.

You can browse the contents of the collection in our catalogue here.

Selected books on the table from the Diane & Gary Hebley collection. Photographer: Julian Lubin, 2026.

So have a look through the catalogue and then come into the city yourself.

Any titles that take your eye can be accessed through our Heritage Collections Reading Room.  

We’d like to use this as an opportunity to thank Diane and Gary very much for this generous donation which has made our heritage children’s collections so much deeper and more locally relevant.

Further reading:

Diane’s bio on the Read NZ Te Pou Muramura website.

Gary’s bio on the Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand website.

Awekura

Awekura is the name given to our blog and podcast series that showcases treasures within Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, presented by our library specialists.

Awekura is a kupu drawn from Māori weaponry, particularly the taiaha. It refers to the arero, the tongue of the taiaha, which is adorned with kura, red feathers. The term reflects both the physical beauty and their deeper spiritual and narrative significance.