What do Lauren Keenan, Christall Lowe, Steph Matuku, Rachael King, Claire Mabey, Kristin Kelly, Nick Davies, Eileen Merriman, David Hill, Brianne Te Paa, Jane Ussher, Lucy Corry, Stacey Morrison, Jeremy Sherlock, Fiona Sussman, Dr Hinemoa Elder, Vasanti Unka, Kirsty Powell, Gavin Bishop, Fiona Kidman, Kimberly Andrews and Jo Seagar have in common? They are all talented authors and some of the previous winners of the NZ Booklovers Awards.
Who will win the NZ Booklovers Awards for 2026?
‘We are delighted to announce that we are now taking entries for the NZ Booklovers Awards 2025,’ says NZ Booklovers Director Karen McMillan. ‘These are for books published between 1 January and 31 December 2025, and we encourage traditionally published authors and self-published authors to enter.’
Now in their eighth year, the NZ Booklovers has the following categories:
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Novel 2026, sponsored by Lighthouse PR
We are looking for the best in storytelling, a novel we can’t put down.
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2026
Cooking, wine, architecture, lifestyle, home and garden, design, fashion – all the non-fiction books that have the ability to enrich our daily lives.
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Picture Book 2026
We are looking for the best children’s picture book that helps engage young readers and foster a love of books.
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Junior Fiction Book 2026
The best children’s fiction for 7 to 12-year-olds that is child-friendly and encourages even the most reluctant of readers to develop a love of reading.
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Young Adult Book 2026
The best young adult book suitable for young people finding their way in the world. Whether fantasy or grounded in reality, we are looking for a read that will entertain but also provoke thought.
There is a $500 prize for each category to the winning author. The shortlist will be announced on 19 February 2026, and winners will be announced on 19 March 2026.
We are very grateful to Lighthouse PR for sponsoring the Best Novel Award.
In exciting news, we are excited to announce that NZ Booklovers is teaming up with the NZ Herald to create a Best Cover Award in each of the existing five categories! The shortlisted and winning books with the best covers will be featured in the NZ Herald in 2026!
Entry details are available athttps://www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/2026-awards
2026 Sponsors:
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book 2024, 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
Judges 2026
The Best Adult Fiction Book Award is judged by author, reviewer and judge of the Ngaio Marsh Awards Stephanie Jones, librarian and reviewer Clare Lyon, and NZ Booklovers Director and author Karen McMillan.
The Best Lifestyle Book Award is judged by journalist and author Andrea Molloy, Whitireia New Zealand publishing graduate and non-fiction reviewer Anne Kerslake Hendricks, and publisher, home renovator and foodie Iain McKenzie.
The Best Children’s Picture Book Award is judged by primary school teacher and former international book editor for North & South Magazine Stacey Anyan, writer Heidi North, and journalist and former kaiako Rebekah Lyell.
The Best Junior Fiction Book Award is judged by author, creative writing teacher, assessor, mentor and reviewer Paddy Richardson, writer Heidi North, and journalist and former kaiako Rebekah Lyell.
The Best Young Adult Novel is judged by high school English teacher, author, musician and copywriter Chris Reed, author, creative writing teacher, assessor, mentor and reviewer Paddy Richardson, and former editor Heidi North.
The Best Cover Award is judged by book designer Craig Violich from CVD Graphics, Brenda Ward from the NZ Herald, and NZ Booklovers Director and author Karen McMillan.
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 Awards 2026 are now open at https://www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/2026-awards
