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The next three years will define the future of NZ books and publishing
The Aotearoa New Zealand book sector says the next government has a defining opportunity: to lift literacy, grow local readership, and back a thriving literature ecosystem that produces New Zealand stories for New Zealand readers. “New Zealanders already love reading, and research consistently shows that reading participation is fundamental to our success as a nation,” […]
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ERITREA: NOBEL LAUREATES OLGA TOKARCZUK AND J.M. COETZEE JOIN PEN INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR PROOF OF LIFE FOR 12 WRITERS DISAPPEARED FOR 25 YEARS
PRESS RELEASE PEN INTERNATIONAL 18 SEPTEMBER 2026 176 writers from around the world, including Ben Okri, Isabel Allende, Anthony Doerr and Yann Martel, sign PEN International open letter to President Isaias Afwerki 18 September 2026, London: Nobel laureates Olga Tokarczuk and J.M. Coetzee, alongside leading international writers including Burhan Sonmez, President of PEN International, […]
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Ireland Wilson Sargeson Fellowships 2027
Calling all writers! Applications are now open for the 2027 Ireland Wilson Sargeson Fellowships Press release, 15 September 2026 The Frank Sargeson Trust is calling for applications from published New Zealand writers for the 2027 Ireland Wilson Sargeson Fellowships. These prestigious Fellowships, named in memory of New Zealand writers Frank Sargeson, Kevin Ireland and Phillip […]
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Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa (TCA) Contestable Fund 2026 opens
Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa (TCA) makes up to $75,000 available annually to support strategic projects that grow Aotearoa New Zealand’s literary sector. The fund supports projects with clearly defined, measurable outcomes aligned with literary sector growth, such as: Developing professional skills for writers, including those who write for education audiences Growing export markets for Aotearoa New […]
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Coalition for Books releases New Voices sampler
A sampler has been released featuring the eight standout authors on the 2026 New Voices of Aotearoa list. The 2026 New Voices of Aotearoa are: Ōtaki-based writer and public servant Tīhema Baker (Raukawa te Au ki te Tonga, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira) Auckland-based poet and storyteller Amber Esau (Ngāpuhi, Manase) Hastings award-winning […]
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Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki Board of Trustees welcomes Sam Elworthy as Nicola Legat steps down
28 August 2026 Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki has appointed leading New Zealand publisher Sam Elworthy to its Board, as long-serving Board member Nicola Legat ONZM steps down after eighteen and a half years. During her tenure, Nicola has brought a wealth of publishing and sector expertise to the Festival, drawing on her leadership […]
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Longlist announced for the 2026 Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Novel
After an extended judges’ deliberation, due to the high quality and diverse range of entrants this year, The Ngaio Marsh Awards are stoked to at last reveal our longlist for the 2026 Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Novel. 12 terrific stories from 12 terrific Kiwi storytellers. Congratulations to: Lucky Thing by Tom Baragwanath Carved In […]
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Patron Saints of Roadkill & Other Stories
by Susanna Ellis Winner of the NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize publishes September 2026 A ghost moves into a woman’s apartment and begins to cough up teeth. A town keeps building as the sea prepares to take it back. A daughter inherits hunger like an heirloom. In this collection of short stories set […]
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Witi Ihimaera Smiler receives 2026 Whakamana Hiranga Icon Award
The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi welcomes Ann Robinson, Darcy Nicholas, The Topp Twins and Witi Ihimaera Smiler into a living circle of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most significant artists. Established in 2003, the Icon Awards Whakamana Hiranga are the Arts Foundation’s highest honour, recognising the remarkable impact each artist has had on their practice, community, and […]
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Applications open for Michael King Writers Centre 2027 residencies
6 August 2026 17 residencies available in 2027 for writers across Aotearoa New Zealand The Michael King Writers Centre has opened applications for its 2027 Writers in Residence Programme, a national residency programme supporting writers from across Aotearoa New Zealand to develop major writing projects. The 2027 programme offers 17 residencies for emerging and […]
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Changes expand recognition for Kiwi authors
Hon Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs 6 August 2026 Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden has announced changes to the Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors scheme that will see more New Zealand authors recognised for their books held in libraries. “Cabinet has agreed to lower the eligibility threshold for the […]
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ASLA DANZ Children’s Book Award Winners 2026 Announced
On Saturday, July 25 inside the glorious Global Change Institute at University Queensland in Brisbane we celebrated in style alongside some of our shortlisted creators, judges, local children’s literature legends and champions, and several of our generous sponsors. Here are the winners, selected by our child judges from across Australia and New Zealand. Picture Book Winner […]
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