Free books for Duffy schools

Duffy Books in Homes is currently distributing free books to almost 100,000 students in low-decile schools around NZ.

Students are looking forward to receiving two books each from an inspirational role model, who will deliver the message ‘It’s cool to read and cool to achieve’, during special school assemblies.

The literacy charity founded by author Alan Duff, will distribute books to 541 schools.
Kids in ‘Duffy’ schools choose books from a catalogue at the start of term and then wait for their book presentation assembly. 

This term, role models visiting Duffy schools include singers Jackie Clarke and Shona Laing, netballer Linda Vagana, Newstalk ZB newsreader Niva Retimanu, authors Alistair McIntyre and Tony Williams, and entertainer Adrian Kirk. 

They are joined by dozens of other role models with sporting, musical, literary, media and entertainment backgrounds, who make a connection between their careers and their love of reading.

They will show children, some of whom have never owned a book in their lives, that reading provides a pathway to success.

Since the official launch in 1995, the Duffy Books in Homes programme has grown to encompass 541 schools, around 100,000 students and more than 200 sponsors in 2011. 

More than seven million books have been distributed to children in low-decile schools since its inception and the programme now distributes more than 600,000 books annually.