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Aotearoa NZ Book of the Month unites booksellers, libraries and publishers behind local books, sponsored by Libby.
Bookshops and libraries unite for new nationwide campaign to spotlight one New Zealand book every month On 1 November, the Coalition for Books will launch Aotearoa NZ Book of the Month, a new nationwide campaign that will celebrate a single New Zealand book each month across bookshops, libraries, digital platforms and media. The campaign […]
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Wellington Writers Walk announce new chair
October 2026 Pippa Werry is stepping down as Chair of the WWW committee which she has led since 2013, and been Chair since 2022. Over those years she has led the negotiation, fundraising and eventually positioning the first plaque in te reo māori on the Walk, which happened several months ago. The WWW committee introduces […]
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Meet Your 2026 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureates
We’re thrilled to announce eight new Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureates – outstanding practising artists recognised for their world-class work and profound impact on Aotearoa New Zealand’s culture and communities. Each Laureate receives a $50,000 gift — no strings attached — given in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to date and as a […]
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The secret life of words: Mikee Donato’s North Island road trip takes 2026 Sargeson Prize
Embargoed until 8pm Saturday 03 October 2026 For Mikee Donato, writing is that secret, second life “where all the real stuff happens”. It’s a life that has now earned her New Zealand’s richest short story prize, with her story ‘Wilding Pines’ taking out the 2026 Sargeson Prize, sponsored by the University of Waikato. Following […]
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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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Winners of the Inaugural Te Pae Tawhiti Speculative Fiction Awards 2025 announced
22 August 2026 The Te Pae Tawhiti Award winners were announced tonight at an Awards Gala as part of Hamilton Book Month. Held at Te Whare Taapere Iti, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, the evening featured a keynote by Pip Adam and a panel discussion moderated by Lee Murray, with Pip Adam, David Hair, Jade […]
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NZCYP: Picture Book Duo Claim Top Prize at Children’s Book Awards for Second Time
19 Aug 2026 Popular picture book author and illustrator team Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata) have claimed the top prize at the 2026 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults for the second time in their careers. Their vibrantly illustrated A Guide to Rocks, which deals with difficult feelings and was […]
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essa may ranapiri Writer in Residence Randall Cottage
The Randell Cottage Trust is delighted to advise that author essa may ranapiri has now taken up their writer-in-residence position at Wellington’s historic Randell Cottage, where they will be working on their first novel, Te Rama Tuna | Eeling by Torchlight, a coming of age story about two young trans Maaori friends/lovers. essa may ranapiri (Ngaati […]
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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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Coalition for Books 2026 Hui series: We Are Better Together
The Coalition for Books presents its 2026 Professional Development Hui programme 2026 Book Sector Professional Development FREE to Coalition members (and members of organisations with full Coalition membership) All others welcome at a small fee ·Includes a special symposium held over two part-days for children’s publishing professionals in support of Children’s Book Week ·Seven […]
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