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'An academic sport': Book Battle debuts in the Bay

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 22:48 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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Tauranga to Host New Zealand’s First “Book Battle” – A Fresh Push to Get Kids Reading

Tauranga has just received a book‑ish boost, as the city’s library is set to stage the first ever “Book Battle” in New Zealand. The competition – a fast‑paced, quiz‑style reading challenge – will bring together children from across the Bay of Plenty, turning the joy of reading into a spirited contest that could help close the nation’s literacy gaps.

The event, slated for the first week of November, will be run by the Tauranga City Library in partnership with the City Council and the Ministry of Education’s “Reading for Life” initiative. “We’re thrilled to launch New Zealand’s inaugural Book Battle here in Tauranga,” said Library Director Dr. Jane Harris. “It’s an exciting, fun‑centric way to encourage children to pick up a book, dive into new worlds, and develop their comprehension skills.”

What’s a Book Battle?

The Book Battle is a team‑based competition that has already taken the UK by storm. Schools compete to read as many books as possible within a set timeframe – and then answer trivia questions about the books they’ve read. Points are awarded for both the number of books read and accuracy on the questions. The team with the most points takes home a trophy, and individual students can also win “Best Reader” prizes.

According to the organisers, the Tauranga edition will be tailored to the local context. “We’ve invited teachers, parents and librarians to design a reading list that reflects the cultural diversity of our community,” explained Harris. “From Māori legends and Pacific Island tales to contemporary New Zealand fiction, we want every child to find a book that sparks their imagination.”

The competition will run for two weeks, from 6 November to 20 November. During that period, each school will be assigned a “battle desk” where students can log their reading hours and upload book summaries. On the final day, schools will gather at the Tauranga Library’s Main Hall for the final quiz round, complete with a live leaderboard and a special appearance from former New Zealand Book Awards winner Lisa McMann.

Why the Push?

Reading proficiency has been a concern in New Zealand for several years. According to the Ministry of Education’s most recent National Literacy Survey, only 61 % of Year 4 students achieved the expected reading level, a drop of three percentage points from the previous assessment. “We know that when children are excited about reading, they’ll naturally read more,” said Education Officer Mark Wilson. “The Book Battle is a way to harness that excitement and turn it into measurable progress.”

Experts say competitions can motivate students, especially those who struggle to find books that resonate with them. “When kids see that reading is not just a quiet, solitary activity but something that can be shared and celebrated, they’re more likely to engage,” noted Dr. Alana Koh, a literacy researcher at the University of Auckland. “Book Battle’s blend of reading and friendly competition can create a new culture of reading in schools.”

Who’s Involved?

Around 30 schools across the Bay of Plenty have already signed up, including Tauranga Boys’ College, St. Joseph’s Catholic College and Tauranga Girls’ College. The event will also see participation from the Tauranga City Library, the Tauranga Library Foundation, and local businesses such as the Bay of Plenty Arts Council and the Tauranga Herald.

The library has already curated a “battle library” of 200 titles, ranging from picture books to young adult novels. “We’re providing all the books free of charge, so parents don’t have to worry about purchasing them,” Harris explained. “And we’ll have a mobile library van that can deliver books to schools that may have limited access.”

In addition to the main competition, the event will feature a “Storytelling Corner” where local Māori writers will share oral traditions, and a “Reading Lab” where students can learn basic comprehension strategies with the help of volunteer tutors.

Registration and More Information

Parents and teachers can register their schools through the event’s official website, https://www.bookbattle.co.nz/. The site includes a downloadable registration form, a reading list, and a FAQ section. “The earlier you register, the better you’ll be able to plan your reading list and schedule,” said Harris. “We’re also providing a ‘battle kit’ that includes a log sheet, bookmark, and a certificate of participation.”

The Tauranga City Library is also offering a free online workshop on “Choosing the Right Book for Your Child,” scheduled for 12 October. “Reading for Life” volunteers will run the session, which aims to help parents and teachers guide students toward books that match their reading level and interests.

Looking Ahead

While Tauranga’s Book Battle will mark New Zealand’s first foray into this type of competition, organisers already have eyes on a larger future. “We hope this pilot will show that book battles are a win for students, teachers, and the wider community,” said Harris. “If the results are positive, we’d love to see the event expand to other regions and perhaps even become a national competition.”

The event is free to participate, and all local families are encouraged to take part. With a community of passionate readers, teachers, and librarians behind it, Tauranga’s first Book Battle could very well ignite a new reading revolution across the country.