Writing plays an important part in all aspects of June's professional and creative career paths.  Her writing skills cross the spectrum of business writing, PR and marketing, creative writing, life writing, lyrics for songs, poetry, editing and proof reading, and so on. 

Entering the complex world of book publishing in 2007 as 'grass roots' Marketing Manager for former educational book publishing company Pearson Education NZ, this experience provided June with full 'hands-on' knowledge of book production and marketing;  a valuable range of skill-sets that she is able to draw on and apply at will, to any writing related project.

Writing for Children

June's dream of becoming a published author and writer of childrens books became a reality with the 2017 release of her first dual-language picture book with waiata (music) Tawhirimātea A song for Matariki.  Published under her pen-name June Pitman-Hayes, this book went straight to the top of NZ 10 Childrens Book Best Seller List; a rare achievement for a first-book writer. 

Since then four more titles have been added to her Scholastic NZ book-list, the most recent of these being There's a Bear in the Window(Scholastic 2021),  'I wonder what I would see if I were that bear and that bear were me?' questions and captures glimpses of how people adapted to living in Covid-19 lock-down in Aotearoa. June's Kia Kaha! Together standing strong (Scholastic 2020), was selected for inclusion in the Ministry of Education's home schooling packs that were distributed during 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns.   Hush a Kiwi lullaby, a kiwiana styled rewrite of a well-known lullaby by New Zealand's esteemed childrens author Joy Cowley, includes a CD featuring recordings sung by June, also in Te Reo Māori and English.  

'I love the idea that my voice may be singing babies to sleep all over the motu", June says.

In 2023 Scholastic NZ released 'My Kiwi Kete', a collection of 3 mini versions of June's book contained in a beautifully designed kete bag.  Since its release in May 2023 this special taonga continues to feature in among the Top 10 bestsellers childrens book list.

In September 2024, June will celebrate the release of her sixth childrens book with special launches in Auckland at Dorothy Butlers Childrens Bookshop, and in Whangārei at Wairau Māori Art Gallery, Hundertwasser Art Centre.

Creative Writing & Poetry

As an adult student, June enrolled on Massey University's Creative Writing programe under the academic tutelage of Mary Paul, Jenny Lawn (PhD), Jack Ross, and others.  This programme resparked her interest in poetry.  

June's poetry is published regularly in Fast Fibres Poetry from Northland, and in various anthologies including Ngā Ripo Wai | Swirling Waters - a Kerikeri anthology (2021),  Te Kohu Poems (2023), Pav Deconstructed (2023), and Changing Landscapes (2023).

Short/Flash Fiction

June's foray into writing short and short fiction began in August 2022, resulting in her very first attempt Uncle John's Wooden  Leg, topping the selection of submissions for Flash Frontier October 2022:  Insects. In 2023 her micro-fiction piece Paper Dolls made the long and short list selections of the international micro-madness competition.  Soon after, June's 300 word flash fiction story The Kina Girl made the short and long lists for the New Zealand National Flash Fiction competition, propelling June toward receiving literary recognition as recipient of the 2023 Northland Short Story of the Year award. In July 2023 June's flash fiction piece Movement on Water made the selection for Flash Frontier July 2023: Moana/Ocean edition.

Cultural Heritage Publications & Reports

Books:

In 2022 June self-published Kaumātua o Tamaterau Life stories through the lens, a limited edition, special collection of cultural heritage oral his/her lifestories supported by stunning black and white images captured through the lens of photographer Claire Gordon who worked collaboratively alongside June. The book shares living experiences of local Māori; all descendants of tūpuna who have for five generations or more, maintained ahi kaa (the burning fires of occupation) of their ancestral lands at Tamaterau, along the shores of Terenga Paraoa - Whangārei Harbour, in Northland.

Reports:

In the latter part of 2022, on behalf of the Te Kete Rānea o Parua Bay working group, June researched and wrote a cultural narrative to contribute to Whangārei District Council's Parua Bay Placemaking Report.

In 2021, on behalf of the collect Iwi/hapū of Tamaterau, Whangārei June was lead writer for a Cultural Impact Assessment Report that was submitted to Whangārei District Council outlining the cultural historical significance of the site, and recommendations in response to Council's proposed schedule of works.

Supporting Literacy in Schools

June has been part of the Duffy Books in Homes role-model ambassador team since the release of her first childrens book Tawhirimatea - a song for Matariki in 2017, visiting numerous schools to help foster the love of reading and literacy throughout Aotearoa.  

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About the Image:  Courtesy of one of the Duffy Books in Homes schools