'But one day I realised – this is ridiculous. Romance is a stunner of a genre and should never be played down.'

'I have a series of book shelves at home that are dedicated to pukapuka supporting the growth of te reo Māori.'

The award-winning illustrator on the books that have shaped her.

'I described my ideal writing situation ... a cottage by the sea away from all the distractions of modern life. She said I was really just procrastinating.'

'I read Rich Dad Poor Dad at eight, and I don’t think I’d be where I am if I hadn't!'

'Any and all of them!'

The author of Whānau on the most memorable books of his reading life.

'I don’t mean a tear or two, I mean full-on ugly crying. I had to put it down just to catch my breath and debrief with friends over a glass of wine.'

'Hopefully I introduced myself, I can’t remember, but I do remember my face registering my dawning recognition and surprise.'

'I love being swallowed into someone else's universe and being able to exist there for a bit.'

'I want to stuff the pages in my mouth until the words melt around my teeth.'

'My Korean heritage has gifted me grit and perseverance, while my Kiwi upbringing has gifted me optimism.'

'I will be reading anything he writes until he stops doing so.'

'I reference it regularly, and am constantly recommending it' – the illustrator and author on a book that changed her approach to life.

'I can’t find it anywhere. No library, no secondhand shop, no Google search turns it up.'