Page to performance: Audiobook of the Year
The Aotearoa New Zealand Book Industry Awards is proud to announce the 2026 longlist for the Libro.fm NZ Audiobook of the Year Award, celebrating the continued rise of audiobooks as a powerful and accessible storytelling format.
Now in its second year, the award—sponsored by Libro.fm—recognises excellence in narration, production and content, highlighting the unique artistry that brings books to life through sound.
Audiobooks are playing an increasingly important role in the growth of the Aotearoa New Zealand publishing industry. Offering a complementary yet distinct experience to traditional reading, they open up new ways for audiences to engage with stories—whether at home, on the move, or as part of a more accessible reading journey.
Fifteen remarkable titles have been selected for the 2026 longlist, spanning literary fiction, memoir, fantasy, sport, nature and self-help. Whether a lifelong book lover or a recent convert to the joy of listening, this longlist reflects the richness and diversity of Aotearoa's storytelling.
Audiobooks in the running for the award are assessed on sales as well as narration, production and content by a panel of booksellers and influencers. The shortlist will be announced on 27 May 2026, with the winner revealed at the Aotearoa NZ Book Industry Awards ceremony in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 25 July 2026. Tickets will go on sale soon.
1985 by Dominic Hoey
A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern
A Far Better Thing by H. G. Parry
A Life Less Punishing by Matt Heath
Become Unstoppable by Gilbert Enoka
Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer
Māori Millionaire by Te Kahukura Boynton
Northbound by Naomi Arnold
No Words for This by Ali Mau
Speaking My Language Te Kōrero i Tōku Reo by Mike McRoberts
The Amber Owl by Juliet Marillier
The Bookshop Detectives 2: Tea and Cake and Death by Gareth and Louise Ward
The Forgotten Forest by Robert Vennell
The Lost Saint by Rachael Craw
This Vicious Dream by Stacia Stark
