A book created to encourage a love of ornithology in children has been judged the best designed in Aotearoa at the 2026 PANZ Book Design Awards.

It was an easy decision for the judges who unanimously declared Omnibird by Giselle Clarkson (Gecko Press) designed by Vida Kelly with Giselle Clarkson, the overall winner at a ceremony held in Auckland this evening. The win marks just the third time a children’s title has taken out the supreme award, the Gerard Reid Award for Best Book sponsored by NielsenIQ BookData.

“The overall book was a fairly quick and unanimous decision. It was the only book to score perfect 10s and it is just a brilliant book all round,” said Convening Judge Erica Harrison.

The judges praised Omnibird, which also won the Scholastic New Zealand Award for Best Children’s Book, for its beautifully resolved and cohesive design, finding every element to be thoughtfully considered.

“The handwritten typography, earthy yet vibrant colour palette, and journal-inspired approach make scientific content feel approachable, engaging, and full of curiosity. The integration of annotations, illustrations, and supporting details create the feeling of exploring personal field notes, while the tactile uncoated stock enhances the warmth and character of the design. A truly immersive and inviting book that makes learning about its subject a joy.”

The book was selected from a particularly strong field of candidates vying for this year’s awards. In an unusual move, two titles were awarded the Penguin Random House New Zealand Award for Best Illustrated Book – Atlas of the New Zealand Wars: Volume One 1834–1864, Early Engagements to the Second Taranaki War by Derek Leask (Auckland University Press), designed by Alan Deare (Area Design) and Mr Ward’s Map: Victorian Wellington street by street by Elizabeth Cox (Massey University Press), designed by Jo Bailey.

“This was the toughest category to judge,” says Erica. “The Atlas of New Zealand Wars and Mr Ward’s Map are both exceptional books, and both happen to have wrap around maps! It was impossible to separate them, and we felt both books deserve the acknowledgement.”

These are just a few of the eleven awards announced on the night, with categories celebrating cover design, typography, educational publishing and emerging design talent.

A moving segment of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Keely O’Shannessey People’s Choice Award, in honour of the talented book designer and friend of many in book publishing who passed away in June this year. Event attendees had the opportunity to vote for their pick of the finalists, recognising the design of Shaun Naufahu & Giordano Zatta (Alt Group) on Sio fakaTonga ‘ae ‘Aati fakaTonga: Tongan Views of Tongan Arts by Professor Hūfanga He-Ako-Moe-Lotu, Dr ‘Ōkusitino Māhina, Professor Māui-Tāvā-He-Ako Dr Tēvita O. Ka‘ili, Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai MNZM (Kula-ʻUli Publishing) as the winner. This title also won the Te Papa Press Award for Best Typography.

The PANZ Book Design Awards were established by the Publishers Association of New Zealand Te Rau o Tākupu (PANZ) to promote excellence in, and provide recognition for, the best book design in New Zealand.

The 2026 PANZ Book Design Award winners are:

Gerard Reid Award for Best Book sponsored by NielsenIQ BookData

• Omnibird: An Avian Investigator’s Handbook by Giselle Clarkson (Gecko Press). Designed by Vida Kelly with Giselle Clarkson

Penguin Random House New Zealand Award for Best Illustrated Book

• Atlas of the New Zealand Wars: Volume One 1834–1864, Early Engagements to the Second Taranaki War by Derek Leask (Auckland University Press). Designed by Alan Deare & Dave McDonald (Area Design)

AND

• Mr Ward’s Map: Victorian Wellington street by street by Elizabeth Cox (Massey University Press). Designed by Jo Bailey

Best Non-Illustrated Book

• Tony Fomison: Life of the Artist by Mark Forman (Auckland University Press). Designed by Arch and Jane MacDonnell (Inhouse)

Scholastic New Zealand Award for Best Children’s Book

• Omnibird: An Avian Investigator’s Handbook by Giselle Clarkson (Gecko Press). Designed by Vida Kelly with Giselle Clarkson

PANZ Award for Best Education Book or Series — Primary

• My First Ikura by Qiane Matata-Sipu, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (QIANE+co). Designed by Chloē Reweti

PANZ Award for Best Education Book or Series — Secondary/Tertiary

• Toitū te Whenua by Lauren Keenan (Penguin Random House). Designed by Cat Taylor

Award for Best Cookbook or Lifestyle Book

• Family Cooking by Di McHardy (Di McHardy, Mama’s Meals Limited). Cover designed by Logan Smith (Sunday Best) and interior designed by Georgia Yates (Sunday Best)

Allen & Unwin Award for Best General Cover

• Three Wee Bookshops at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw (Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand). Design by Katrina Duncan, illustration by Sophie Watson

HarperCollins Publishers Award for Best Cover

• Whenua edited by Chloe Cull, Felicity Milburn & Melanie Oliver (Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū). Designed by Aaron Beehre

Te Papa Press Award for Best Typography

• Sio fakaTonga ‘ae ‘Aati fakaTonga: Tongan Views of Tongan Arts by Professor Hūfanga He-Ako-Moe-Lotu Dr ‘Ōkusitino Māhina, Professor Māui-Tāvā-He-Ako Dr Tēvita O. Ka‘ili, Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai MNZM (Kula-ʻUli Publishing). Designed by Shaun Naufahu & Giordano Zatta (Alt Group)

Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand Emerging Designer

Victoria Wigzell for The Floral Dream by Olivia McCord (Potton & Burton)

Keely O’Shannessey People’s Choice Award

• Sio fakaTonga ‘ae ‘Aati fakaTonga: Tongan Views of Tongan Arts by Professor Hūfanga He-Ako-Moe-Lotu Dr ‘Ōkusitino Māhina, Professor Māui-Tāvā-He-Ako Dr Tēvita O. Ka‘ili, Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai MNZM. (Kula-ʻUli Publishing). Designed by Shaun Naufahu & Giordano Zatta (Alt Group)