In late 2019, our founder had a simple idea: buy some books to donate to kids at Christmas, and get her mates to buy some, too.

That idea became Kiwi Christmas Books, a charity scheme that took off almost of its own accord, resulting in the donation of more than 1600 brand-new books to families in need that Christmas.

From these small beginnings in Auckland, Kiwi Christmas Books has grown into a nationwide charity, collecting thousands of brand new books each year from kind, book-loving Kiwi donors. We have now donated more than 40,000 books to children and families from Kaitaia to Bluff and everywhere in between. For many it is their first ever book; for some, it is their first ever Christmas present.

Kiwi Christmas Books is a registered charity governed by a board of trustees: parents, teachers, creatives, writers, and readers who’ve seen first seen first-hand the many benefits books and reading bring to young lives. We know that good books grow great kids, and we are passionate about making sure that all young Kiwis, no matter their background, have access to quality literature. 

Our Board

  • Connie Buchanan

    CHAIR 

    Connie is a writer and producer who lives in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, where she works as Deputy-Editor for E-Tangata magazine and as a communications consultant. Her short stories and essays have appeared in Landfall, Takahē, Newsroom, Headland, NZ Geographic and other publications. Connie holds a Master's degree in International Relations and a Bachelor of Broadcast Communications. She is a mum of two boys and is the Waikato co-lead volunteer for Kiwi Christmas Books 

  • Pam Wilson

    TREASURER

    Waihōpai Invercargill-based Pam Wilson is a former Early Childhood Centre kaiako, former lecturer at the Dunedin College of Education, and former Senior Teacher and Manager at Kindergartens South. She holds a B. Ed degree in Early Childhood Education.  Pam has been involved in published research projects with kaiako and tamariki focused on Nature Discovery programmes for preschool tamariki and the Reggio Emilia (Italy) approach to teaching and learning. She is mum to three, grandmother to six, and is the Murihiku Southland lead volunteer for Kiwi Christmas Books 

  • Greta Shirley

    SECRETARY

    Greta Shirley is a marketing and communications professional based in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, where she heads up the Customer Experience team at Waitomo Group. A law, arts and journalism graduate, she is a former television producer, communications and government relations consultant and has worked in various communications and marketing management roles both in New Zealand and the U.K. She is a mum, an aunty and is the Waikato co-lead volunteer for Kiwi Christmas Books

     

  • Sonya Wilson

    TRUSTEE, FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Tāmaki Makaurau-based author Sonya Wilson is a former television journalist-turned creative writer. She is the author of the award-winning children’s book, Spark Hunter, and has written essays, articles and reviews for a number of publications. She holds a Master's degree in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Broadcast Communications, and is the Founder and Executive Director of Kiwi Christmas Books. She is mum to two boys and works as a freelance writer, author, teacher and presenter as well as running the day-to-day operations of Kiwi Christmas Books. 

  • Georgia Sigglekow

    TRUSTEE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

    Georgia is an award-winning strategic designer and brand developer based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. A Bachelor of Graphic Design graduate from AUT, she spent six years in a leading strategic design house before founding the multi-disciplinary creative studio, Plantation, whose core mahi is creating authentic, meaningful stories through the intersection of creativity, strategic design craft and motion screen arts. She is a mum of three, and an Auckland-based volunteer for Kiwi Christmas Books, as well as our being our creative director/designer.