Booksellers NZ has announced that Renee Rowland is our new Association Manager, with immediate effect.

Renee is no stranger to our bookselling community, as former owner-operator of The Twizel Bookshop and Timaru Booksellers, and former director on the Booksellers ANZ Board (2020 – 2024). Prior to opening two bookshops in rural South Island, Renee worked in corporate communications and regulatory affairs in the financial services sector. She is a vocal advocate for booksellers and bookshops and we are delighted to welcome her to the helm.

Renee’s requisite skills and experience in retail as a bookseller and in the financial services sector, and her leadership skills as a former Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand Board chair gave the Board’s HR Committee unanimous confidence in their decision to appoint her to the role of Association Manger. Renee will be working four days a week as Association Manager and remains a partner at Timaru Booksellers.

Renee says she is excited to take on the role of Association Manager for Booksellers Aotearoa NZ.

“Booksellers ANZ has a rich history of stalwart support for bookshops and bookselling. The Aotearoa bookselling community is vibrant and inspiring, but it faces a unique set of challenges.  I’m looking forward to leading the association into the future and working with the bookselling community that I’ve loved being a part of for the last seven years.”

Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand Board chair Pene Whitty says the Association Manager role is a pivotal one for the association.

“Renee’s passion for the role in addition to her ideal skills and experience made her the stand-out choice. Her appointment is a real boon for association and I look forward to working with Renee  in her capacity as manager.”

ENDS