In the Press
Kate Preece
About the Author
Kate has been writing children’s books since she was a child, but the award-winning One Weka Went Walking (2022) was the first to make it beyond the family bookshelf. She's thrilled to have also released the counting book Ten Nosey Weka (2024), which features ta rē Moriori, te reo Māori and English, and The Butterfly Fluttered By (2024), which showcases the insects of Rēkohu.
After studying journalism at Canterbury and Massey universities, Kate's career began under the mentorship of the late Kiwi legend Jon Gadsby. It was the start of a 14-year stint in the magazine industry, which included seven years as an editor across multiple mastheads, and culminated in Group Editor for Allied Press Magazines.
Now living on Rēkohu, she switches between writing for children, editing her adult fiction novel, and extending her children’s vocabulary.
News
The Butterfly Fluttered By
NZ children's entertainer features 'The Butterfly Fluttered By' on YouTube
Kiwi celebrity Suzy Cato reads The Butterfly Fluttered By to 13,700+ subscribers on TreeHutTV.
Article
'A counting book with a difference'
An interview with Carly Thomas shares the backstory and meaning behind Ten Nosey Weka.
The Butterfly Fluttered By
Best of 2024: Christchurch City Libraries
The Butterfly Fluttered By makes the list for children's books about nature.
Ten Nosey Weka
The Sapling's best reads of 2024
Ten Nosey Weka listed as a favourite of the editors and contributors of The Sapling.
Article
'Speaking ta rē Moriori'
In an article published by Newsroom, Kate Preece discusses the revival of ta rē Moriori and the significance of 'Ten Nosey Weka'.
Ten Nosey Weka
'A book helping to revive ta rē Moriori'
Kate Preece teaches Radio New Zealand host Jesse Mulligan how to count to 10 in ta rē Moriori.
One Weka Went Walking
Best children’s and YA book for 2022
One Weka Went Walking makes the annual selection of the National Library's best children's and young adult (YA) books published in 2022.
Short story
Lake Fly wins international short story competition
Lake Fly takes out the top prize from a pool of 350 entries in Exisle Academy's 'The Story I Needed To Have Read' writing competition.
One Weka Went Walking
2022 Storylines Notable Book Award winner
One Weka Went Walking is named one of the best New Zealand titles published between August 2021 and November 2022, by New Zealand's premier national organisation promoting books for children and young adults.
One Weka Went Walking
A Unity Books best seller
One Weka Went Walking hits the charts, featuring in Unity Books' best-selling children's titles for October.
Book release
Children's book One Weka Went Walking out now
A rhyming read-aloud book for children aged 5-8, One Weka Went Walking features stunning illustrations and fun facts that will engage all readers.
Get in touch
For review copies of One Weka Went Walking or Ten Nosey Weka, extracts or promotional inquiries, please contact publicist Lise Clayton, lisec@bateman.co.nz
