NZLA Historical timeline

1963

Auckland council of IRA formed

1968

Wellington council formed

1969

Warwick Elley (NZCER) led research into children's reading interests (Wellington)

1970

Introduction of 'country memberships'

1971

Hawkes Bay & Canterbury councils formed

1972

Establishment of national co-ordinating committee

Marie Clay Area Co-ordinator

Invercargill & Hamilton councils formed

1974

Palmerston North, Dunedin & Timaru councils formed

1978

Rae McIver became IRA co-ordinator

Marie Clay awarded IRA International Citation of Merit

1979

1st official NZ study tour of USA

1980

IRA co-ordinator - Ken Foster (attached to Otago)

John Slane & Ken Foster developed framework for NZRA constitution and council consultation

1983

Decision made for NZRA to become IRA affiliate

1984

1st NZRA meeting in Nelson

Ro Griffiths President, Shirley Jack Secretary / Treasurer

1985

Received affiliation charter from IRA

1992

Marie Clay became president of IRA

Warwick Elley awarded IRA International Citation of Merit

1993

1st IRA International Leadership conference

1995

NZRA expanded executive initiated

1997

2nd IRA International Leadership conference

2001

Tai Tokerau council affiliated with NZRA

3rd IRA International Leadership conference

NZRA leadership workshops initiated

2003

Tauranga Moana council established and affiliated with NZRA

Reading Forum NZ becomes a refereed journal

2005

4th IRA international leadership conference

2008

Heather Bell awarded IRA Maryann Manning outstanding volunteer service award

2009

Aoraki South Canterbury council established and affiliated with NZRA

2010

Heather Bell elected to IRA Board of Directors for 3 year term

2012

Regional leadership workshops established. First one held in Dunedin

2013

Name change to New Zealand Literacy Association (NZLA)