A shortlist has been released for the 2026 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. The winners--including the four Mātātuhi Foundation Best First Book Awards recipients and potentially, at the discretion of a specially appointed judge, Te Mūrau o te Tuhi Māori Language Award--will be named at a ceremony on May 13 during the Auckland Writers Festival. Check out the complete NZ Book Awards shortlist here.
The winner of the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction receives NZ$65,000 (about US$38,545), with each of the other main category winners getting NZ$12,000 (about US$7,115). The Best First Book winners for fiction, poetry, general nonfiction and illustrated nonfiction, are awarded NZ$3,000 (about US$1,780) each.
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The shortlist has been released for the NZ Booklovers Awards, recognizing works in the best adult fiction, children's picture book, lifestyle, junior fiction, and YA categories. The winner in each category will be named March 19 and each winner will receive NZ$500 (about US$295). Check out the shortlisted titles here.
"It was a pleasure to read so many outstanding books written by talented New Zealand authors," said NZ Booklovers director Karen McMillan, adding: "We are thrilled to see the exceptional books that New Zealand authors have created. These are superb books that Kiwi families will read and treasure."