{"id":1852,"date":"2026-07-21T19:42:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T07:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/booksinhomes.org.nz\/?p=1852"},"modified":"2026-07-21T19:44:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T07:44:02","slug":"noeleen-tuala-duffy-books-success-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/booksinhomes.org.nz\/noeleen-tuala-duffy-books-success-story\/","title":{"rendered":"From Duffy Books to Building Two Businesses: Noeleen’s Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What does a love of reading unlock?<\/h2>

For Noeleen Tuala<\/a>, it unlocked confidence, creativity, and a future she could never have imagined.<\/p>

Growing up, Noeleen was one of thousands of tamariki who received books through the Duffy Books in Homes programme. Those books became more than stories to enjoy – they became windows into new ideas, new possibilities, and a belief that she could write her own story.<\/p>

Today, Noeleen is the founder of two successful Pasifika businesses, PELE Baby<\/a> and TUSI Stationery<\/a>, proving that reading for pleasure can grow into something extraordinary.<\/p>

Books that opened doors<\/h3>

Every child deserves the opportunity to own books.<\/p>

For many Duffy children, the books they receive become the first books they can truly call their own. They are read, shared with siblings, revisited countless times, and often treasured long after childhood.<\/p>

For Noeleen, those books helped develop a lifelong love of reading that continued to shape her education, confidence, and career.<\/p>

Reading introduced her to different perspectives, encouraged curiosity, and gave her the confidence to pursue opportunities she may never have considered otherwise.<\/p>

Building businesses with purpose<\/h3>

Today, Noeleen channels that same creativity into businesses that celebrate culture, identity, and family.<\/p>

Through PELE Baby<\/a> and TUSI Stationery<\/a>, she creates products that reflect Pasifika heritage while encouraging connection, learning, and storytelling.<\/p>

Her journey is a powerful reminder that literacy skills help to build confidence, resilience, communication, and a desire to dream big.<\/p>

Why Duffy matters<\/h3>

Stories like Noeleen’s remind us why the Duffy programme exists.<\/p>

Every book placed into the hands of a child is an investment in their future. While we never know exactly where each child’s journey will lead, we know that reading builds the skills, imagination, and self-belief that help make those journeys possible.<\/p>

Today, more than 16 million books<\/strong><\/a> have been distributed through Duffy Books in Homes, helping generations of young New Zealanders discover the joy of reading and the opportunities it can create.<\/p>

Noeleen is just one of many former Duffy students who continue to demonstrate the lasting impact that book ownership and literacy can have.<\/p>

Watch Noeleen’s story<\/h3>

Hear directly from Noeleen as she reflects on growing up with Duffy Books in Homes, the books that inspired her, and how reading helped shape the person – and business owner – she is today.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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