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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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Finalists – Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2026
WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2026 Jacinda Ardern’s memoir a finalist in the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2026 Oxford fellow and former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern’s first book, A Different Kind of Power, has made the shortlist of the 2026 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Ardern’s memoir is one of four finalists […]
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Panel talk — Disruption, trends and transformation: Libraries and archives leading change
Wednesday 25 March 2026, 5:30pm to 7:15pm Taiwhanga Kauhau — Auditorium, (lower ground) National Library Wellington. Entrance on Aitken Street. Free Add to my calendar Hear from six international leaders about how best practice in the library and archive sectors is constantly shapeshifting, and how transformative programming and community engagement is changing the face of […]
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New Voices of Aotearoa 2026 — nominations open!
Nominations are open for for New Voices of Aotearoa 2026! Launched just last year, this important initiative aims to showcase up-and-coming, must-read, brilliantly talented authors of Aotearoa New Zealand adult fiction and non-fiction. The New Voices of Aotearoa campaign has become a feature and a highlight for the Coalition, working hard to deliver on […]
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WIR Waikato is David Coventry
Writing to his own beat: David Coventry to take up residence at University of Waikato For David Coventry, writing is an experience to be savoured. The award-winning author is the University of Waikato’s new Kaipukahu Writer in Residence and will spend 2026 on campus working on a new collection of short stories. Dr Coventry’s short-story project is set in and around 1981, during the Springbok […]
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Libby Kirkby-McLeod is new Coalition for Books manager
From Coalition for Books Chair, Melanie-Laville-Moore Owing to an unexpected bereavement, our wonderful CFB manager Stacey Clair has needed to return to Australia. Alongside the day-to-day business, including Kete Books, during her tenure Stacey oversaw many new initiatives, most notably the introduction of the brilliant New Voices campaign, and the successful launch of Mahi Tahi, the book sector […]
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The Mike Riddell Writer’s Residency
The Mike Riddell Writer’s Residency The Under Rough Ridge Writers’ Retreat Trustees offer a 6-week or 12-week winter residency in the village of Ōtūrēhua, Central Otago, to an established writer. Applications are now open and close on Sunday 29 March. The residency will include the exclusive use of a house, and a weekly stipend of $1000 during the stay. Full details […]
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Ōtaki Writers residency 2026
RESIDENCY 2026 After a highly successful event in 2025, In other words, Ōtaki (IOWŌ) / Kia rerekē te hua, Ōtaki is delighted to call for applicants for our 2026 10-day residency programme. The residency is for five Aotearoa storytellers whose work reflects positive and/or progressive ways of thinking about people, community and the environment. If you’re a professional, mid-career to […]
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Elixir & Star Press: a liminal gathering 2 submissions
Submissions open 20 April – 20 May 2026 for a liminal gathering 2 ESP* is a dedicated space with focus on the creation of of a purposeful literary community centered on personal grief expression. Dedicated to Reuben Samuel Winter (1994-2020).We welcome multimedia creative work exploring grief from New Zealanders anywhere in the world. Submission guidelines here. […]
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2026 NZSA Kupu Kaitiaki & Kaituhi Mentor Programmes for Kaituhi Māori OPEN
Open For Applications February 23rd – April 10th. He karanga tēnei ki ngā kaituhi Māori, he pōwhiri hoki kia kawea ō pūkenga tuhituhi ki tētahi taumata kounga hou. Whakaae ki tā mātou wero ki te tuhi i a koe anō ki tētahi wāhi e tū ai koe i waenga i ō hoa aropā, i ō […]
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NZ Booklovers Awards 2026 Shortlist Announced
19 February 2026 The NZ Booklovers Awards 2026 shortlist, announced today, features a mixture of debut authors and well-known writers. Books by Jacinda Ardern, Dominic Hoey, Chris Blake, Stef Harris, Dr Hinemoa Elder, Jane Ussher & John Walsh, Elizabeth Knox, Stacy Gregg, Sonya Wilson and Rachael King are among the diverse titles nominated for the […]
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VERB WELLINGTON WELCOMES CO-DIRECTORS GABRIELLE VINCENT & KATE MCDONALD
Verb Wellington, the capital’s dedicated organisation for literary festivals, events and residencies, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Gabrielle Vincent and Kate McDonald to the roles of co-directors. Vincent and McDonald will steer Verb Readers & Writers Festival which will take place between 11–13 September 2026; and will deliver LitCrawl Wellington on November […]
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