The 2026 NZ Booklovers Awards are now open to entries.

‘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 features the following awards categories:

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Novel 2026, sponsored by Lighthouse PR
This category highlights the best storytelling and the sort of novel readers just can't put down.

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2026
This category includes books on cooking, wine, architecture, lifestyle, home and garden, design, fashion: all the non-fiction books that have the ability to enrich New Zealanders' daily lives.

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Picture Book 2026
This category is for children's picture books and the kind of stories that helps engage young readers and foster a love of books.

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Junior Fiction Book 2026
This category is for the best children's fiction for 7 to 12-year-olds, particularly books that are child-friendly and encourage even the most reluctant of readers to develop a love of reading.

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Young Adult Book 2026
This category awards the best book for young adults: the kinds of books that help young people find their way in the world. From works of fantasy to books grounded in reality, the Best Young Adult Book Award is centred on books that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.

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.

Entry details are available at https://www.nzbooklovers.co. nz/2026-awards

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.

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

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