Why should you read New Zealand books? That might be a question you’re asking yourself if you’ve a reader from outside of the country, or someone without a connection to Aotearoa New Zealand. There’s a simple answer to that: why not? Kiwi voices are just as interesting, immersive, informative, and important as voices from other nations and cultures, and this post is all about the why today, so sit back and enjoy learning why Nz voices are important and why you should care.

Aotearoa New Zealand is a nation in the South Pacific, not the youngest in the world but certainly on the young side compared to others across the globe. What New Zealand lacks in age it makes up for in diversity and experiences. Even if we just looked at the voices of Maori and the British, there are a range of perspectives and voices to read throughout the pre-British colonialism era, the mid and late-1800s, the 1900s (and there are many things that happen through the 1900s, from wars to cultural revolutions, nationwide events and one-day disasters), and nowadays in the 21st century. Note that when I say British here, I am referring to people from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

But that is not the extent of New Zealand’s voice. New Zealand is a multicultural society, home to communities from all across the world, some for generations. New Zealand’s early history as a nation is full of people coming to find work in New Zealand, from the Chinese labourers during the gold rushes in the South Island and Coromandel and market gardeners all over the country, to the Dalmatians/Austrians working the Northland gumfields. These workers and the communities they created have been part of our country for many generations, contributing to the New Zealand voice and New Zealand perspective we know today. Our Pacific communities are also a strong part of our history, the good and the bad of it, bringing with them many more voices, experiences, and perspectives. Again, this isn’t counting the immigration of all groups we’ve had come into New Zealand and the many voices and perspectives they bring with them.

So with this blend of cultures within our beautiful Aotearoa New Zealand, we have many voices to listen to. We have many perspectives to see, listen to, and support as a wider New Zealand community. We have a plethora of voices to understand, communities to learn from. We also have a wide range of voices to relate to, empathise with, share experiences with, and represent not only themselves, but the communities they are apart of and the country they feel is their home. New Zealand’s voice is not just that of Maori, though they are an integral part of our nation’s history, present, and future. Our voice isn’t just that of the “white New Zealander” we see wearing stubbies and a Swanndri on Country Calendar. New Zealand voices are full of different experiences, backgrounds, family histories, and more, and it is so important to learn of other people’s perspectives and experiences.

By learning of others experiences, we become better people, for we are able to expand our understanding and empathy to others – see through their eyes, stand in their shoes – which can have a massive impact on how we see the world. Reading different voices is important, now matter where you are. I am not saying New Zealand’s voice is the only important one, but it certainly is full of many voices and I think that many may find relating to a New Zealander far easier than expected. Grab a few kiwi novels, add a few New Zealand ebooks to your lists, and give New Zealand voices a go. We are a small but strong nation, and we have so much to say.