The quiz was founded by New Zealand quizmaster Wayne Mills in 1991, who reads enough books to write several thousand questions each year. Wayne always has a book close by and a pen to write those questions.

Wayne has never known a time without books, his parents surrounded him with books as a youngster and they've been part of his life ever since. When his kids were teenagers he never observed readers at prize-givings being rewarded for their reading and it was this that provided the impetus to start a literary competition for 11-13 year olds in 1991. The idea of the quiz then was to acknowledge and motivate readers at a time when reading traditionally dipped. Wayne established the quiz to reward those kids who love reading and are good at it. Traditionally schools recognised students achievements in Science, Maths and sport, but their was nothing to reward the passionate readers .

Wayne is passionate about kids reading for pleasure and works to ensure that readers are challenged to read widely across a range of literature.

In March 2008 he was awarded the New Zealand Margaret Mahy Medal for his substantial and distinguished contribution to literature and literacy and in 2011 he was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for meritorious service to his country.

Wayne is a former senior lecturer at the University of Auckland in the Faculty of Education.