Badges, Books, and Bragging Rights: New Reading Challenges for Ōtorohanga Teens

For years, Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia young readers have been quietly turning pages, getting lost in fantastical worlds, and devouring books late into the night. Now, the Ōtorohanga District Libraries are giving them something new — and it’s more than just a bookmark.

Two new reading programmes have launched for rangatahi aged 12–18, promising rewards for something many teens already love doing: reading.

For the Series Devotees - #LibraryLegendsSeriesEditionŌDL

The first, Library Legends: Series Editions, is tailor-made for readers who can’t resist a good saga. It’s about the joy of sticking with characters from the first page of book one to the final twist in book seven (or more).

Each month, a new series is unveiled. The debut? The one and only Harry Potter.

Participants pick up a special Library Legends bookmark — their “ticket” to the challenge — and set off on a reading quest. Each completed title unlocks collectible digital and physical badges. And unlike some competitions, there’s no race against the clock. Once a series is introduced, it stays on the shelf for anyone to tackle.

“It’s about making reading fun, but also creating that sense of achievement you get when you reach the end of a story you’ve committed to,” says the library team.

For the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Crowd

The second programme, The Next Chapter, is for those who prefer variety. Instead of sticking to one series, readers can choose any book they like — graphic novels, fantasy epics, biographies, you name it.

Every milestone reached (25 books, 50 books, 75 books and beyond) earns them a limited-edition badge. The more they read, the more they collect.

“This one is perfect for the reader who’s curious about everything,” says the team. “One week they might be deep into a dystopian novel, the next week they’re reading about space travel or history.”

Joining the Story

Both challenges are free and open to all rangatahi in the Ōtorohanga District. Teens can sign up in person at the Ōtorohanga District Library or Ōtorohanga College Library, or online through Beanstack.

The programmes run continuously, so there’s no wrong time to jump in. Whether you’re chasing down Harry, Ron and Hermione through the corridors of Hogwarts, or hopping from book to book in pursuit of a badge, there’s a story waiting for you and a reward at the end.

After all, in the Ōtorohanga district, reading just became a team sport