Kiri Lightfoot is a writer from Tāmaki Makaurau whose work spans picture books, young adult fiction, and television. Her debut novel Bear won the Storylines Tessa Duder Young Adult Award (2024) and was a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults (2025). Inspired by her time as a Youthline counsellor, Bear explores self-acceptance, connection, and hope. Kiri is also the author of the picture books Every Second Friday, Ming’s Iceberg, and Te Ngahere i te Pō (The Forest at Night). Alongside writing, she works as an actor and shares poetry in aged-care facilities through Active Arts. Kiri is passionate about writing stories that help young people feel seen and about championing the importance of creativity in our lives.