The official launch of the programme (then known as Books in Homes) took place at Tairangi School[6] in Wellington on 24 August 1995 and was attended by then Prime Minister Jim Bolger.

[9] Notable personalities who were once students in Duffy Books in Homes schools include BMX rider Sarah Walker and Miss World New Zealand 2010 Cody Yerkovich.

Additional components of the programme include annual awards for parents and grandparents, effort in reading and writing and excellence in attitude.

[14] Major supporters include Mainfreight, Scholastic, Ernst & Young, Carter Holt Harvey, Rotary, Latitude Financial Services and The Warehouse.

[15] Research undertaken in 1996 and 1997 by Dr Warwick Elley suggested that year 5 and 6 children in eight schools "improved (their reading ability) by 35% more than they would have without the Duffy Programme.