The Listening Library

Great New Zealand books to listen to whenever you want them.

Produced by Duncan Smith

Cover image with olive green and cream tones featuring the text 'The Listening Library' in bold white serif font, and 'Audiobook Collection' in smaller text above. Stylized vertical book spines line the right side of the image.

RNZ exclusive

This podcast is only available on the RNZ website and apps, ad‑free and uninterrupted.

Harbouring (Part 1) by Jenny Pattrick

Bird Child (Part 1) by Patricia Grace

Season 5 / Episode 1
Bird Child is told through the eyes of an unborn child and a Kākā bird whose stories are entwined. Part 1 - We are with with an expectant mother, making a life or death escape through the forest, pursued by the hoariri - the enemy.
Supplementary image for episode: Bird Child (Part 1) by Patricia Grace

Bird Child (Part 2) by Patricia Grace

Season 5 / Episode 2
Set in pre-european Aotearoa as an expectant mother and her Iwi make a perilous escape through the forest pursued by the hoariri - the enemy.

Bird Child (Part 3) by Patricia Grace

Season 5 / Episode 3
The story, told through the eyes of an unborn child and a Kaka bird is set in pre-european Aotearoa and involves an expectant mother and her Iwi as they flee through the forest and across a mighty awa pursued by the hoariri - the enemy.

Other podcasts
like this one

More podcasts with similar themes or ideas that you might enjoy.

  • The words "Black Sheep" are displayed in a vintage font above a black sheep with a creepy red eye.

    Black Sheep

    The shady, controversial & sometimes downright villainous characters of NZ.

  • Witi Ihimaera looks up. Behind him and going over his shoulders is a graphic of water. Centered at the bottom is text that reads: "Witi Underwater."

    Witi Underwater

    Award-winning

    Witi Ihimaera throws himself into a full-immersion Māori language course.

  • An illustrated motif representing people from the Pacific gathered around a sun.

    Tagata o te Moana

    Wrapping up the big Pacific news, issues, information & music each week.

  • Cover image in teal and seafoam green tones featuring the text 'The Playhouse' in bold black serif font, with 'Audio Collection' in smaller uppercase text above. Stylized vertical book spines in varying green hues line the right edge of the image.

    The Play House

    Listen here for RNZ's collection of plays, dramas and comedies

  • An illustrated motif representing people from the Pacific gathered around a sun sits behind a photographic portrait of Susana Suisuiki.

    Pacific Waves

    Delving deeper into the major Pacific stories each week