Writes Hill Press

11/09/2025

Missed this Paula Penfold interview? ... it's another must-read to understand the baby scoop era, and trauma endured by birth mothers, author Barbara Docherty among them.

Barbara Docherty glimpsed only her baby’s head before he was taken from her in a forced adoption - a cruel practice that’s impacted thousands of families.

11/09/2025

Check this book out

We’re excited to announce that Barbara Docherty’s memoir, “Secrets and Lemons”, will soon be released. Registered general and obstetric nurse, primary health care nurse, university lecturer, communicator, writer and broadcaster – Barbara’s contribution to NZ’s health service delivery is legion. Yet key among the events she writes of is her personal experience of the forced adoption of her babies - twice. Many survivors of the estimated 100,000 New Zealand birth mothers of the notorious ʻbaby scoop era‘ will viscerally feel the systematic dehumanisation of Barbara’s childbirth experiences and illegal kidnapping of her infants. This is a must-read book for all women, health professionals, politicians and public servants, and people of faith.

11/09/2025

We’re excited to announce that Barbara Docherty’s memoir, “Secrets and Lemons”, will soon be released. Registered general and obstetric nurse, primary health care nurse, university lecturer, communicator, writer and broadcaster – Barbara’s contribution to NZ’s health service delivery is legion. Yet key among the events she writes of is her personal experience of the forced adoption of her babies - twice. Many survivors of the estimated 100,000 New Zealand birth mothers of the notorious ʻbaby scoop era‘ will viscerally feel the systematic dehumanisation of Barbara’s childbirth experiences and illegal kidnapping of her infants. This is a must-read book for all women, health professionals, politicians and public servants, and people of faith.

04/09/2025

Officially launched into the world of readers. Congratulations Grant Hodgson.

Speeches from my book Launch, Rangatiratanga And Gentlemanship, at Unity Books Wellington, on Sept 4, 2025

13/08/2025

Hope to see you here …

13/08/2025

A special event at the Marlborough Museum for history buffs and book lovers.

25/04/2025

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/anzacday/audio/2018984548/the-legacy-of-war-a-daughter-s-story

A daughterʻs search to understand the legacy of war.

Angela Fitchett is one of many New Zealanders marking ANZAC Day overseas - a chance to connect with those who fell far from home and to remember her father, who struggled to leave the horrors of war behind.

24/04/2025

Shout out to author Angela Fitchett, talking with Susana Lei'ataua on RNZ about her research for the French Pass memorial wall, travels to WWI battlefields and Anzac memorial service at Le Quesnoy, and reflection on her father's WWII service as told in ‘Finding Private Webber.’

25/10/2023

Tom McGrath's recent book, “Wartime Secrets from the Family Home”, will soon be off the press, in time for Christmas.

“I blame that bastard Hi**er for my teeth,” WW2 veteran Hugh McGrath would often say as his dental bills mounted up. He could have said so much more, but didn’t. So the full extent of his wartime story didn’t unravel until the chance discovery of hundreds of letters, photos and postcards stuffed into boxes and attaché cases and scattered throughout a suburban house.

Hugh’s son Tom McGrath uses their unique, eye-witness commentary to recount his family’s varied experiences in both world wars — in WW1 his paternal grandfather Frank was an army captain, great-uncle Harry McGrath obe served in the Royal Navy, and maternal grandfather Tom Rainbow was in the NZ Tunnelling Company in France. Hugh and his sister Joan served in the second world war, he in North Africa and Italy and she as a nurse in RAF hospitals in England. The book also sheds light on their post-war lives, which were peaceful, yet deeply affected by their war­time experiences.

09/08/2023

New at Writes Hill Press.
"It is what it was", by Gerhard Ammermann.

A remarkable biography of childhood under the Third Reich, encounters with diplomats, business and world leaders, and personal experiences of 20th-century world events.

Gerhard was nine years old at the start of World War II, and now aged 93, has ultimately landed in Waikanae, New Zealand.

Find out more

https://www.writeshillpress.co.nz/product/it-is-what-it-was

We provide a professional book publishing service for those wishing to publish privately — individuals, institutions and companies. Our services include editing, design and print management. We can also offer advice and assistance on marketing, sales and distribution. Find out more …

24/07/2023

Oh no, bookpublishing.co.nz website is down. Please go to writeshillpress.co.nz if you’re looking for books, or message us here. We'll be back online shortly. Apologies for the trouble.😳🙄

Send a message to learn more

01/05/2023

Roads, railways, tunnels and bridges!

Engineering in changing times by Dr Graham Ramsay
Foreword written by Sir Ron Carter. Read a sample chapter.

$45

New Zealand civil engineers work in conditions unknown in many countries, yet we take their work for granted until disaster strikes. Graham's book is a behind-the-scenes look at the people and processes of several high-profile projects and their unique challenges and solutions.

More: https://www.bookpublishing.co.nz/engineering-in-changing-times.php