Books, role models and a 30-year success story

A special event to mark 30 years of the Duffy Books in Homes programme went down a treat with Gisborne students engaging with role models such as radio host Bevan Chapman and reporter Irena Smith at Lawson Field Theatre. 

This year marks the programme’s 30th anniversary. Since it began in 1994 the programme has given away almost 15 million books. 

Participation has grown too, with more than 560 schools and 270 early childhood centres benefiting from the programme each year. 

Former Gisborne woman Jo Holley is the MC for the event which is visiting 16 regions across Aotearoa as part of the anniversary tour. 

About 220 “Duffy Kids” from eight Gisborne schools attended the celebration here last week. 

Holley selected two students to help her present the role models on stage. After a warm-up of singing and dancing the role models, including Chapman, Smith, and Kahu Tamatea from East Coast Ngāti Porou rugby, spoke to the audience about their careers and the importance of books in their lives. 

“I’m very grateful to be part of the Duffy family for many years now visiting schools and sharing my love for reading,” Holley says. 

“Returning to my home to MC the 30 years Duffy Books in Homes event was an honour. I was truly blown away by my co-presenters, the students who stepped up to read scripts, ask questions and help present the show. Hearing the dreams and aspirations of kids from Gisborne was so inspiring.” 

Ten schools in Gisborne are part of the programme where “Duffy Kids” receive at least six new books of their choice each year. The programme has been supported by more than 200 funding partners and donors, and has inspired offshoot programmes in Australia and the United States. 

Founder Alan Duff acknowledged the tireless work and dedication of the team and supporters. 

“This is a huge milestone, and more than I dared hope for 30 years ago,” Duff said. “I’m immensely proud of the mahi of the Duffy team, the in-school co-ordinators, and our supporters and funding partners across Aotearoa. Literacy is just so important to the future of these kids, and that starts with a love of books and reading.” 

The programme’s general manager Linda Vagana agrees, and warned that tackling New Zealand’s falling rates of reading and literacy was critically important. 

“Low literacy has flow-on effects into adulthood and ultimately affects career prospects. Regardless of what job or career our children aspire to, they need to be literate.” 

Vagana adds: “The support the programme receives from funding partners, means that tens of thousands of Kiwi children get to experience the aroha of reading and books as taonga”. 

“Children who discover an enjoyment of reading and books now, become adults who inspire a love of reading to their whānau and wider community.” 

As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations, a new graphic novel based on the main character from the popular Duffy Theatre shows was launched on August 6. 

Duffy and the Bullies follows a cool kid (Duffy) as he and his friends navigate school, friendship and everyday life. Copies are being distributed to all schools participating in the programme.