Spotlighting Aotearoa's disabled authors

The D*List is a space dedicated to disability culture and community in Aotearoa. Here we’ve collected a list of books by New Zealand disabled authors. It ranges from vampire romance, memoir, poetry about colonisation, and so much more.

There is a rich world of disabled literature in Aotearoa, and if you’re yet to delve in, we think these are some excellent places to start. Remember, your local library will have most of these in stock, sometimes in audio or E-book format, too.

Big Fat Brown Bitch

Tusiata Avia, 2023

A poetry collection exploring colonisation, identity, and cultural conflict. Available in paperback and as E-book. 

Here we are, read us: Women, disability and writing

Tusiata Avia, Steff Green, Helen Vivienne Fletcher, Charlotte Simmonds, Michele Leggott, Trish Harris, Te Awhina Arahanga and Robyn Hunt, 2019

A collection of eight disabled women writers from Aotearoa. Freely available online, and in large print format, as audiobook, E-book, as individual social media files, and in Braille and DAISY audio. Order print copies or download files at Crip the Lit's webpage. 

Blindingly Obvious

Minnie Baragwanath, 2023

A memoir by this leader and blind social pioneer. Also available as E-book, audiobook, NZSL book.

A Fish In the Swim of the World 

Ben Brown, 2022

A classic memoir set against the backdrop of the Motueka River during the 1960s and 1970s by one of Aotearoa's finest Māori writers. Available in paperback and as E-book. 

Articulations

Henrietta Bollinger, 2023

Henrietta Bollinger’s debut essay collection speaks to their experiences as a queer, disabled person, and as a twin. Available in paperback, E-book and audiobook. 

Sanctuary 

Andi C. Buchanan, 2022

Neurodivergent and disabled found family in a haunted house where people can feel welcome regardless of their corporeality. Available in paperback and E-book. 

In my chair or yours? 

Juliana Carvalho, 2020

A humourous and hopeful autobiography about Juliana’s experience of becoming disabled at 19. Available in paperback and E-book.

Symbolic Death: A Short Story Collection 

Helen Vivienne Fletcher, 2017

A collection of sad, poignant, and darkly funny tales about death. Available in paperback and E-book. 

A Life Lived Twice

Allyson Hamblett, 2017

A memoir about living with cerebral palsy as a trans woman. Available to order online.

The Walking Stick Tree

Trish Harris, 2016

A memoir about growing up with acute arthritis – about pain and loss, identity, and living creatively. Available to order online, and as E-book and audiobook.

Fangs for Nothing 

Steffanie Holmes, 2025

A cosy paranormal romance featuring a grumpy vampire and sunshine human, a compelling murder mystery – and endless cups of tea. Available in paperback.

Becoming a Person: The Biography of Robert Martin 

John McRae, 2014

Becoming a Person is an uplifting and challenging story of how an intellectually disabled New Zealander, Robert Martin, helped change the world.

I Am Autistic and This is ADHD 

Chanelle Moriah, 2022 and 2023

Creative, interactive workbooks for navigating the world of neurodivergence. Hardback available from most bookstores and online.

Over My Dead Body 

June Opie, 1957

A 1957 memoir about contracting polio and the strange, unexpected journey to recovery. 

The Artist 

Ruby Solly, 2023

A beautiful verse novel/poetry book that brings to life the histories of our great southern iwi. Available in paperback.

Needs Adult Supervision

Emily Writes, 2022

This book looks at the growing pains of kids and their parents and their attempts to navigate a world that's changing by the minute. Available as paperback and E-book.