• PEN International’s resolutions on AI, writers’ rights and the accelerating consequences of international disorder

    Posted on 7 October 2026

    5 Oct Written By PEN International At its 92nd Congress, held online on 29–30 September 2026, the Assembly of Delegates of PEN International adopted two resolutions addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges: the impact of Generative and Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) on writers’ rights, human authorship and freedom of expression; and the accelerating consequences […]

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  • Australasian Shadows Awards 2026 Winners

    Posted on 7 October 2026

    October 6, 2026 The Australasian Horror Writers Association announced the winners of the Australasian Shadows Awards on October 3. The juried award is given in eight categories for the finest in horror and dark fiction published by an Australasian within the calendar year. Eligible genres/sub-genres include horror, dark fiction, dark fantasy, and paranormal fiction. Poetry Katya de […]

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  • The Robert Burns Fellow: Emma Hislop

    Posted on 6 October 2026

    Writer Emma Hislop (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) says she is still “quietly processing” the news of receiving the Robert Burns Fellowship for 2027. Although her debut short story collection, Ruin, won the Hubert Church Best First Book of Fiction at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards in 2024, she says looking at the list […]

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  • Playmarket winners: Plays for the Young 2026:

    Posted on 6 October 2026

    Playmarket is delighted to announce the winning entries for Plays for the Young 2026: PLAYS WRITTEN TO BE PERFORMED FOR 3-12 YEAR OLDS: The Girl Whose Twin Was a Bird by Talia Pua PLAYS WRITTEN TO BE PERFORMED BY 3-12 YEAR OLDS: The Monster Kitten by Sheree Veysey PLAYS WRITTEN TO BE PERFORMED FOR AND/OR […]

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  • The secret life of words: Mikee Donato’s North Island road trip takes 2026 Sargeson Prize

    Posted on 3 October 2026

      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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  • SLANZA: Proposed National Library Changes Will Severely Impact School Libraries.

    Posted on 29 September 2026

    3/9/2026 SLANZA is deeply concerned by the proposed cuts to National Library and Archives New Zealand (ALNZ), including a reported 36% reduction in the National Library Community Engagement and Learning Team that currently supports school libraries across Aotearoa. These changes come at a time when strong literacy support, equitable access to information, and professional library […]

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  • The 2026 Read NZ Te Pou Muramura Pānui will be delivered by David Hill

    Posted on 29 September 2026

    At the 2026 Pānui event at the National Library of New Zealand, join lit legend David Hill as he explores his thoughts on reading as a pathway to compassion, self-reflection and happiness—all with that characteristic David Hill warmth and wit. The 2026 Pānui is Tuesday 3 November, 6pm at  National Library of New Zealand Te […]

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  • The 2026 Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 – Local authors more popular than ever!

    Posted on 25 September 2026

    The 2026 Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 is announced today with many books on the List coming from New Zealand authors. Classics and children’s book series also feature strongly. Significantly, nearly half the books voted for by thousands of the nation’s readers are by local authors – 24 in total. Highly acclaimed New Zealand author James […]

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  • Book for Bird Lovers Judged Best Designed in Aotearoa New Zealand

    Posted on 25 September 2026

    A book created to encourage a love of ornithology in children has been judged the best designed in Aotearoa at the 2026 PANZ Book Design Awards. It was an easy decision for the judges who unanimously declared Omnibird by Giselle Clarkson (Gecko Press) designed by Vida Kelly with Giselle Clarkson, the overall winner at a […]

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  • $25,000 TCA | NZSA Writers’ Award has been awarded to writer Matariki Williams

    Posted on 25 September 2026

    Matariki Williams (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Hauiti, Ngāti Whakaue, Taranaki, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi) has been awarded the 2026 Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa (TCA) and The New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc $25,000 Writers’ Award for her untitled project on the life and art of Robyn Kahukiwa. Williams will be working with Penguin Random […]

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  • Aotearoa New Zealand at the 2026 Frankfurt Book Fair

    Posted on 24 September 2026

    This year five trade and two education publishers will exhibit across our physical and Virtual Book Stand. The stand will be hosted by Eboni Waitere (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne), the immediate Past President of PANZ and Director of Huia Publishers, and Louise Russell, PANZ Councillor and Publisher at Bateman Books. There are four publishers exhibiting in […]

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  • 2026 ARA Historical Novel Prize – shortlists announced

    Posted on 24 September 2026

    The 6 novels shortlisted for Australasia’s richest individual literary prize centre strong female perspectives and write overlooked characters back into history The shortlist for the 2026 ARA Historical Novel Prize has been announced, with all six novels authored by women and non-binary writers. The shortlisted titles shine a light on overlooked perspectives spanning ancient Egypt, […]

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