Lauren Keenan, Christall Lowe, Steph Matuku, Rachael King, Claire Mabey and Kristin Kelly are winners in the 2025 NZ
Booklovers Awards announced today.
‘We are delighted to announce six award-winning books that families in New Zealand will enjoy for many reasons,’ says NZ Booklovers Director Karen McMillan. ‘Our winning novel combines the best of historical fiction with the tautness of a thriller. Our lifestyle-winning book is a taonga that honours the legacy of whānau and the joy of sharing kai. The Young Adult winner is an exploration of cultural survival and personal transformation. Our joint Junior Fiction-winning novels are exceptional, with vivid storytelling and rich characters. The winning children’s picture book is written with humour and tenderness and will engage young readers and foster a love of books.
We are very grateful to Lighthouse PR, Benefitz, Seeds Podcast, The Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore and Duckling Publishing for sponsoring these awards.’
Each category winner/s will receive $500 from NZ Booklovers.
The Space Between by Lauren Keenan wins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book 2025, published by Penguin. Sponsored by Lighthouse PR.
The judges say: ‘This debut novel by Lauren Keenan (Te Ātiawa ki Taranaki) has the twisty tautness of a thriller and the fine-grained emotional resonance of the best historical fiction. It centres on Frances, one of a formerly well-to-do family of English settlers, and wahine Māori Matāria, who enter each other’s lives with a jolt – when Frances, a spinster, learns the man who once jilted her is now married to Matāria –
just as their community starts to splinter on the eve of the First Taranaki War. Keenan is a supremely confident writer who unfurls a story of love, shame, pride, friendship, and conflict with empathy and authority.’
Kai Feast by Christall Lowe wins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2025, published by Bateman Books. Sponsored by Benefitz.
The judges say, ‘Recipes brimming with flavour and seasoned with history! Kai Feast is a stunning celebration of food, family and connection. Christall seamlessly weaves together cherished recipes, personal stories and the essence of manaakitanga (hospitality). Inspired by a pepeha journeying from the mountains to the sea, Christall invites readers to slow down, share stories and connect through kai. Kai Feast blends accessible recipes with practical tips for cooking for a crowd, alongside guidance on foraging and using native herbs. With its stunning photography and personal narrative, Kai Feast captures the heart and soul of Aotearoa. More than a cookbook, Kai Feast is a taonga that honours the legacy of whānau and the joy of sharing kai – a must-have for every kitchen!’
Migration by Steph Matuku wins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Young Adult Book 2025, published by Huia Publishers. Sponsored by Seeds Podcast.
The judges say: ‘Steph Matuku’s Migration is an electrifying YA sci-fi novel that world-builds a futuristic society deeply rooted in Māori traditions. Set in the richly imagined realm of Aowhetū, the novel follows an ‘Intuitive’ trainee navigating the rigorous demands of a military wānanga while grappling with external threats and the weight of her own limitations. Matuku crafts a narrative that is both thrilling and deeply introspective. The protagonist’s transformation—from a privileged youth to a fierce defender of her people—is compelling, marked by moments of self-doubt, resilience, and revelation. The urgency of an impending invasion echoes the historical realities of colonisation, lending the story a powerful thematic depth. What sets Migration apart is Matuku’s ability to effectively incorporate fast-paced and densely layered prose with evocative environmental descriptions. The world of Aowhetū is truly alive in the writing, with landscapes that are rich and immersive. The novel’s exploration of cultural survival and personal transformation feels both timely and timeless, making Migration a gripping and thought-provoking read.’
The Grimmelings by Rachael King and The Raven’s Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey are joint winners of the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Junior Fiction Book 2025, both published by Allen & Unwin. Sponsored by The Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore.
The judges say, ‘The competition was particularly stiff this year, and in the end, we selected two joint winners of this category. Both The Grimmelings by Rachael King and The Raven’s Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey are exceptional books. With vivid storytelling, rich characters, and a great deal of magic, both of these books are sure to delight and enthral young readers with their magical use of words and will no doubt become firm favourites.
The Grimmelings by Rachael King is a spellbinding, genre-defying story about courage, horses and love. In a family of three generations of women, outsiders in their small town, 13-year-old Ella doesn’t understand why her mum has to be so fierce and proud. And the tales her beloved Grandma Grizzly tells are just stories. Or are they? As the story unfolds, Ella discovers that her family lives in the shadow of a kelpie, a dangerous horse-like creature from Scottish folklore that is out for revenge on her family. The Grimmelings is a page-turning story exploring the liminal space between this world and another and the power of words. Beautifully written, this is sure to enthral young readers.
Captivating and enchanting, The Raven’s Eye Runaways is a stunning debut novel by Claire Mabey. The Raven’s Eye Runaways introduces us to a world where books are magical and powerful, forbidden to most, and a young bookbinder, a secret reader, must embark on a journey to go up against the system to save her mum. Mabey’s page-turning plot, electric prose, rich world-building and plucky characters are sure to delight young readers.’
The Squeakling by Kristin Kelly, illustrated by Ronja Schipper wins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Picture Book 2025, published by Scholastic NZ. Sponsored by Duckling Publishing.
The judges say, ‘As in previous years, the variety and quality of entries in the picture book section made selecting a winner a difficult task. However, the judges’ final choice was The Squeakling by Kristin Kelly. Written with a combination of humour and tenderness, The Squeakling tells the story of how Max, the basset hound and Spike, the French bulldog, react when a new baby is introduced into their family. When Babe and Sugar bring home a ‘squeakling’ to live with them, Max, the basset hound, and Spike, the French bulldog, are puzzled. Despite the squeakling’s very obvious lack of talents, usefulness or charm, this intruder is demanding a great deal of attention. Max and Spike are missing their pats, so they come up with plans that they are sure will re-claim Babe and Sugar’s attention. When Plan A and Plan B fail, they decide they must gather up their belongings and leave home. Delightfully written and expressively illustrated, The Squeakling uses both pathos and humour to engage with the questions that may arise for siblings when a new baby arrives and encourages discussion on issues such as love and inclusion.’
2025 Sponsors:
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book 2025, sponsored by Lighthouse PR
Lighthouse PR is a New Zealand-based specialist book publicity and marketing company. Our clients include publishing houses and a select group of self-published authors. Our team of experienced publicists has worked in the publishing industry for decades and enjoys working with a range of international and New Zealand authors. We are delighted to sponsor this award which recognises storytelling excellence and rewards our talented New Zealand novelists. www.lighthousepr.co.nz
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2025, sponsored by Benefitz
Small to large book runs, Benefitz have them covered on our high quality smaller digital machines through to our B2 Indigo and Volume offset presses. Soft and cased covers are all finished in-house. For those who require design and artwork, we have that covered too! Our ability to print and finish books in-house is a real strength, but so too is our vast experience and knowledge of book publishing. We have a team with decades of experience producing books. Email Kent@benefitz.co.nz with your enquiry or pop on our website at www.benefitz.co.nz to see our full range of services and check out some of our latest projects. We are pleased to sponsor the lifestyle award, recognising the best books that enrich people’s daily lives.
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Young Adult Book 2025, sponsored by Seeds Podcast.
Seeds podcast has 400 interviews with inspiring people which focus on their life journeys and who and what has shaped them. We are pleased to sponsor the Young Adult Award, which is aimed at young people finding their way in life, recognising books of excellence that entertain and provoke thought. www.theseeds.nz
NZ Booklovers Awards for Best Junior Fiction Book 2025, sponsored by The Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore
The Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore is an independent, online bookstore established by Kiwi junior fiction author Kate Gordon to showcase the incredible array of books for children and teens created by New Zealand authors and illustrators. Kate hand-selects the books to help Kiwi parents and other book buyers find quality fiction, great design and illustration, and interesting non-fiction and activity books. Kate adores junior fiction and is proud to sponsor this new award to celebrate great story-telling for children aged 8-12. www.kiwikidsbooks.nz
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Picture Book 2025, sponsored by Duckling Publishing
Chrissy Metge is the publisher at Duckling Publishing. She uses her animation, storytelling, writing, and producing background to lead a small but dedicated team of ducklings who create and write beautifully designed books for children. She is passionate about books that take young readers on a special journey, collaborating carefully with talented writers, artists, illustrators and editors to publish enduring books for our tamariki. Chrissy is proud to sponsor this award to help foster a love of reading in young children. www.ducklingpublishing.com
Judges 2025
The Best Adult Fiction Book Award is judged by author, reviewer and judge of the Ngaio Marsh Awards Stephanie Jones, reviewer and literary editor Marcus Hobson, and NZ Booklovers Director and author Karen McMillan.
The Best Lifestyle Book Award is judged by journalist and author Andrea Molloy, Whitireia publishing programme graduate, researcher and Verb Wellington volunteer Anne Kerslake Hendricks, and publisher, home renovator and foodie Iain McKenzie.
The Young Adult, Best Junior Fiction Book and Children’s Picture Book Awards are judged by creative writing teacher, assessor, mentor and reviewer Paddy Richardson, writer and former editor Heidi North, early childhood kaiako and journalist Rebekah Lyell, high school teacher, author, musician, and reviewer Chris Reed, and primary school teacher, journalist and former book editor Stacey Anyan.
About NZ Booklovers
NZbooklovers.co.nz is an online home for people who are passionate about books. Working alongside publishers, NZ Booklovers showcases both New Zealand and international titles. It provides reviews, author interviews, book news and competitions. Director Karen McMillan heads up a talented team of contributors and reviewers, fellow readers and writers who are passionate about books and believe literature inspires and enhances people’s lives. The NZ Booklovers Awards are the brainchild of Karen McMillan to support the local publishing community and New Zealand authors.
Entries for the NZ Booklovers Award 2026 will open in May; more information to come in the future.
