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2026 Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award to Claire Mabey
The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi is thrilled to announce the 2026 recipient of the Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award: Claire Mabey. Wellington-based author Claire is known for her richly imagined junior fiction and picture books, and for her wider contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand’s literary community. Her debut novel, The Raven’s Eye Runaways, is […]
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2026 Winter Reading Guide
The Coalition For Books Winter Reading Guide is out, curating the best recent Aotearoa New Zealand fiction, non-fiction, young adult and children’s books. Since 2022 the Coalition has worked with Aotearoa New Zealand publishers to promote local books each winter. Coalition For Books Chair, and Managing Director of publishing house Allen and Unwin Aotearoa […]
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Puke Ariki NZ Children’s Book Week Writer in Residence Steph Julian
In celebration of the first New Zealand Children’s Book Week, Puke Ariki and Community Libraries in Taranaki are hosting a Writer in Residence Programme celebrating storytelling, creativity and the joy of reading for pleasure among tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau. For 2026, Puke Ariki is delighted to welcome local author Steph Julian as our […]
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NZ Booklovers Awards 2027 now open for entries
Entries are now open for the NZ Booklovers Awards 2027. Books published between 1 January and 31 December 2026 are able to enter and the awards are open to both traditionally and self-published authors. Now in their 9th year, the NZ Booklovers have the following categories: NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Novel 2027 […]
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Aotearoa New Zealand Children’s Book Week
Aotearoa New Zealand Children’s Book Week 15-21 August 2026 You can submit your NZ book recommendations to Read NZ HERE Here are stats on NZ reading If you are available to donate your time reading your book at a school or library community event during the inaugural Aotearoa NZ Children’s Book Week – sign up to […]
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EMERGING VOICES RECOGNISED ALONGSIDE ESTABLISHED WRITERS IN 2026 CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS SHORTLIST
6am, Wednesday 10 June The shortlist for the 2026 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, announced today, recognises a generation of writers who are drawing confidently on culture, language and identity to tell stories and create books that feel unmistakably of current-day Aotearoa. That’s evident in distinct ways across the shortlist, […]
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DANZ announce the 2026 shortlisted books
Picture Books: Bapa’s Last Canoe by Maree McCarthy Yoelu and illustrated by Samantha Campbell (Nee Fry) (Magabala Books) The Boab Tree written and illustrated by Helen Milroy (Fremantle Press) The Colours of Home written and illustrated by Sally Soweol Han (Thames & Hudson Australia) Chapter Books: Ava Spark: Hello I’m Here by Alex Field […]
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2026 Book Industry Awards Finalists
Aotearoa New Zealand Bookshops, publishers, audiobooks and booksellers’ picks: Aotearoa’s book industry celebrates NZ excellence 2026 Book Industry Awards Finalists announced for Bookshop of the Year, Publisher of the Year, the Booksellers Choice Award and Audiobook of the Year. Every book that finds its way into a reader’s hands is the result of countless […]
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New Zealand children’s publisher wins prestigious prize in Italy.
Messy Press, the exciting new children’s publisher based in Auckland has been awarded the 2026 Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publisher of the Year for Oceania at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. This highly coveted international prize recognises children’s publishers who have most distinguished themselves for their professional and intellectual skill across each region. […]
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Storylines Award Winners 2026
Tim Tipene, recipient of the 2026 Margaret Mahy Award for services to children’s literature delivered the annual lecture which can be read HERE Congratulations to all winners announced last Sunday: Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for Best Loved Book: Flight of the Fantail – Steph Maketu Storylines Tessa Duder Award: Ten Thousand Pitches – Amy Martin Storylines Joy Cowley Award: Māhuri […]
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Aotearoa NZ Children’s Book Week
Read NZ Announces Dates! Saturday 15th August – Friday 21st August Children’s authors and illustrators: More info and please register your interest and regional availability to be involved in bookshops or libraries This year, Read NZ Te Pou Muramura are leading the first ever Aotearoa NZ Children’s Book Week Sat 15 of August – Friday the 21st of August […]
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Storylines announces 2026 award finalists
Congratulations to the shortlisted entrants: Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award for a children’s novel manuscript. Timothy Bowden Heather McQuillan Philippa Werry Kelly Buchanan-Johns Tessa Duder Award shortlist: Megan Welch Sarah Pratt Amy Martin Joy Cowley Award finalists: Kati Vincent Sarah Harrison Barbara Uini Annabel Wilson & Regan Kupu Stokes Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day Winners will be […]
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