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| Key Note Speaker | Cory Doctorow | Science Fiction author, Activist & Journalist Cory Doctorow (craphound.com) is a science fiction author, activist, and journalist. His latest novels include Picks and Shovels, The Bezzle, and The Lost Cause, a solarpunk story set during the climate emergency. His recent nonfiction work, The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation, tackles Big Tech and monopolies. Cory is known for the international young adult Little Brother series and other titles like Radicalized, Walkaway, and Chokepoint Capitalism (with Rebecca Giblin). He blogs daily at Pluralistic.net, works for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and holds visiting academic roles in the US and UK. Originally from Toronto, Cory now lives in Los Angeles. He has received many honours, including induction into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, the Sir Arthur Clarke Award, and the Neil Postman Award for Public Intellectual Activity. Enshittification has swept through the digital world and beyond — into grocery stores, nursing agencies, even public schools — as more services become digital. The more digital something is, the more vulnerable it is. But enshittification isn’t inevitable. It’s the result of deliberate policy choices made by individuals who were warned of the consequences. These choices aren’t set in stone — we can and must choose differently. How do we end the enshittocene and build a better internet? We'll look at key moments in Aotearoa’s internet history, like the blackout against the three-strikes law, and how global shifts in IP law play a part. |
Brian Pichman | Director of Strategic Innovation for the Evolve Project AI in Libraries: Unlocking Innovation, Access & Engagement Brian Pichman, a forward-thinking technologist and champion for progress, breathes new life into libraries and educational institutions through his groundbreaking work across his careers. By seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art technology, fostering dynamic collaboration, and nurturing a culture of innovation, Brian masterfully transforms organizations into vibrant centers of creativity, knowledge-sharing, and community engagement that inspire lifelong learning. His unwavering commitment to reimagining the role of libraries and educational institutions in the modern world has a profound impact on communities, reshaping the way organizations operate and cementing his legacy as a transformative force for change in the world of education. |
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| Catherine Leonard | Head of Library and Learning Services
Auckland Council Libraries will share their journey from manual, labour-intensive collection management to the automation of processes and distribution. This started with identifying the challenges and problems, the potential solutions, the logical order in which to deal with issues, and resulted in a multi-facetted endeavour to transform our network-wide collection management. Complexities multiplied with Auckland lockdowns resulting from the COVID pandemic, an emergency budget, complex business cases and multiple stakeholders. The end goal was always system-side transformation; getting there involved multiple work-streams, and project management that included preparing kaimahi and customers for change. The most visible change for customers, impacting hold shelf management and pickups, while a small part of the overall functionality, resulted in some of the most challenging elements of change. There is still much still in process. Following the go-live in 2024, enhancements have already been made, and more will be come to ensure the system works well for staff and for the benefit of customers. |
Rob Baigent, Chair | Public Libraries New Zealand & Matihiko/Digital & Communication Manager, Hamilton City Libraries. Rob Baigent has led the development of this exciting platform, which will give New Zealanders easy access to smart library data and stories that highlight the value of our libraries. The launch of loveyourlibrary.org.nz marks an important step in helping communities, funders, and decision-makers better understand and support our libraries. |
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| Adie Johansen | Community Services Manager, Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL) Community Services Manager juggling Aquatic Services, Library Services and Community Wellbeing. With 19 years’ experience in community facilities with Manawatū District Council, Adie is a go-to expert who thrives on providing exceptional community services. |
Public Library Builds - From Blueprint to Bookshelves TAURANGA WELLINGTON AUSTRALIA |
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| Tiffany Rawlings | Manager Library and Archive, Masterton District Library | PLNZ Lead – Data Collection Unveiling the Impact: Insights from the Community Impact Survey Join us for an engaging discussion on the Community Impact Survey, where we’ll explore the social, economic, cultural, and environmental impacts of public libraries in our communities. This session will provide an in-depth analysis of the survey data, highlighting key findings, trends, and challenges while discussing opportunities to apply these insights in your library. |
Sue Kini | Stepping UP Programme Manager, Digital Inclusion Aotearoa Sue manages the Stepping UP suite of programmes, performing a wide range of tasks from creating course curricula to training and supporting hundreds of delivery partner organisations nationwide. Sue has a background in computer training, working for a Private Training Establishment for five years before going into business for herself as a one-on-one computer trainer contracting to several different organisations. She worked with the 20/20 Communications Trust for 9 years, initially as the Computers in Homes Regional Coordinator for Northland and then as Stepping UP Programme Manager. In 2018 she transferred to the Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa, continuing in her role as national programme manager for Stepping UP. |
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 | Paula Morris | Author Paula Morris MNZM (Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Manuhiri) is an award-winning novelist, short story writer, essayist and editor from Aotearoa New Zealand. She holds degrees from universities in New Zealand, the UK, and the US, including a D.Phil from York and an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Paula is the founder of the Academy of New Zealand Literature and Wharerangi, the Māori literature hub. She has held prestigious residencies around the world and appeared at festivals across Europe, North America, China, India, South Africa, Australia, the UK and New Zealand. A former publicist and branding consultant in London and New York, Paula has taught creative writing at universities since 2003. She is currently Director of the Master of Creative Writing programme at the University of Auckland. |
Mātene Simon | Pūkenga Mātauranga Māori | Mātauranga Māori and |
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| Bernie Hawke | Executive Director Public Libraries New Zealand |
SLANZA/National Library Research Steering Group Research and insights on school library services in Aotearoa New Zealand Research and insights on school library services in Aotearoa New Zealand — what we know, and why it matters - A presentation from the SLANZA/National Library Research Steering Group The presentation will provide an overview of the current picture of school library services in Aotearoa New Zealand with a focus on the latest school library research completed by NZCER (New Zealand Council for Educational Research). This was initiated as a joint project by SLANZA and National Library’s Services to Schools with the goal of strengthening the knowledge and evidence base on school library provision in New Zealand. It also set out to explore the value and impact of effective school libraries and to identify gaps and challenges across school communities in New Zealand. In this session we will bring together the findings of the NZCER research with previous surveys and other insights from National Library and SLANZA, to present an overview of what is happening with school library services in New Zealand. We’ll share our thoughts on priority actions needed to improve equitable access to library services for young people including considerations for the role of public libraries and the National Library. This is especially important in the context of significantly declining literacy and the contribution of quality school library services to improving literacy and well-being outcomes. Miriam Tuohy | Senior Specialist (School Library Development) Miriam is the Senior Specialist (School Library Development) for National Library’s Services to Schools and plays a key role in the development of the library’s capability services and professional support for schools. She is an honorary life member and past president of SLANZA (School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa). Miriam has over 20 years of experience in education, including early childhood settings and primary, secondary, and tertiary libraries.
Elizabeth is the Director, Literacy and Learning at the National Library Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. She is responsible for leading the library’s nationwide services to school communities, supporting literacy, learning, and library development, and for leading engagement with the Ministry of Education and the collaborative programme of national reading initiatives. She has played a key role in establishing successful cross-sector and inter-agency initiatives and partnerships across education, libraries, literacy, research, and community organisations. Current roles include Chair of Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador Partners Group and the AnyQuestions Governance Group, member of the GUiNZ (Growing up in New Zealand) AUT project Advisory Group and the Literacy and Reading Standing Committee of IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations. She is an honorary life member of SLANZA.
Leonie is the President of SLANZA (School Library Association New Zealand Aotearoa) and the Waikato Bay of Plenty representative on SLANZA National Executive. She is the Lead Librarian at Sacred Heart Girls' College Hamilton. Leonie is passionate about school libraries and encouraging students and staff to develop a lifelong love of reading by fostering a culture of reading across the school. Leonie believes all students in Aotearoa New Zealand should have access to a well-resourced school library and a specialised librarian. Kia kaha te Paanui. |
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Rainbow Staff, Rainbow Events |
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| LIANZA Freedom of Information Committee update Louise LaHatte | Chair of the LIANZA Standing Committee on Freedom of Information Louise is a freelance librarian with decades of experience in local government in Auckland where she experienced the rich tapestry of change that working in a political environment can bring, as well as the evolution of libraries in response to societal and technological changes. She has been actively involved in LIANZA and PLNZ and in campaigns to protect the freedom to read and to remove barriers to library use. She is currently leading the PLNZ project to support the remaining seven public libraries in Aotearoa to go Fine Free. |
GLAMIRous Liaisons Siren Deluxe | Manager Libraries and Cultural Services In this lively, game-show-inspired session, a library professional seeks the perfect GLAM connection! Our contestants—representing Galleries, Archives, and Museums—will tackle three big questions on community engagement, freedom of expression, and Te Tiriti partnership. Who will be the best fit? Join us for a heady combination of frivolous fun and industry insight. Ko Te Kaiwhakahaere Ratonga Whare Pukapuka me te Ahurea te mahi. Ko Siren Deluxe toku ingoa. I have a background in Fine Arts and Museum Practice, and currently hold the position Manager of Kāpiti Libraries. We serve communities swept along with both known and unknown technological, environmental, cultural, and political futures. In my perspective it is both a privilege and a duty to advocate for inclusivity and diversity in our spaces, as the world around us feels progressively hostile to values libraries and the wider GLAM sector are built upon. |
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Executive Committee Public Libraries of New Zealand | PLNZ Rob Baigent - Chair | PLNZ |
*Forum presenters maybe subject to change.