Here’s where to celebrate NZ Bookshop Day this Saturday — no matter where in Aotearoa you are

Fancy a bag with this limited edition design with artwork by Xoë Hall? Head to your local bookseller! These bags are available exclusively in-store from bookshops, on Bookshop Day!

It’s a one-day nation-wide celebration of all bookstores. It highlights the cultural importance of books and bookshops, and celebrates the people who bring the two together, our amazing booksellers (book experts, community champions, and match makers)!

Bookshop Day has been going since 2015! It’s run by the Booksellers Association of New Zealand to encourage book lovers to shop at local bookshops (hurrah and take a look at this amazing tote design, available in-store only from booksellers — totes amazing)!

The short of it: get down to your local bookshop!

The longer answer: take a look at some of these wonderful goings on happening at booksellers all around the motu this Saturday.

The Wairarapa Bookshop Hop

When: Friday 6th-Sunday 8th October

What: The Wairarapa Bookshop Hop makes a return and this year the Wairarapa’s 12 booksellers are turning on a full weekend of bookish fun for readers in celebration of New Zealand Bookshop Day.

To participate in the Wairarapa Bookshop Hop, “Bookshop Hoppers” collect an official map from any of the participating bookstores. At each store, get a stamp on the map with purchase. Every stamp gives “Hoppers” another entry into the two prize draws totalling $800 in bookshop vouchers.

The organisers also have a special prize of $200 in bookshop vouchers for the best photo taken on the day.Use the hashtags #nzbookshopday and #wairarapabookshophop on Instagram or Facebook so the judges can discover your image.

More here.

The Nook Bookshop, WellsfordWhen: 7 October from 10.15

What: Beatnik Publisher and Wellsford local Sally Greer will be instore at The Nook Bookshop to discuss the magic of publishing books in New Zealand. Come for a coffee at 10.15 and from 10.30, discover how great books are made.

Bookshop Hop, AucklandWhen: 7 October all day!

What: Calling all Tāmaki Makaurau book enthusiasts, the Bookshop Hop, Auckland features 9 participating bookshops! Visit as many as you can on the day and be in the draw to win $450 of book tokens.

Participating stores are: Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop, Unity Books Auckland, Time Out Bookstore, Dear Reader, Lamplight Books, Paradox Books, The Booklover, Poppies Howick and The Women's Bookshop.

Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop — Book Feast

When: 7 October — events all day!

What: join the Book Feast! Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop hosts a mini Children's Book Festival on Bookshop Day. Raymond McGrath, Giselle Clarkson and Stuart Lipshaw will be in the store doing events on the day.

The store will also hold its annual Book Character Hunt!More here.

Unity Books Wellington

When: 7 October

What: In the mood to go to the polls? Celebrate with the NZ Bookshop Day Best Book Ballot! Unity Books, Wellington’s booksellers have selcted their picks for the best book ballot for you to vote for on Saturday the 7th of October, in-store. In the lead up, the Unity Books Wellington team will share their picks and let you know why you should vote for their book.

Schrödinger's Books, PetoneWhen: 7 October — all day!

What: Schrödinger’s, the little bookshop by the sea, will have giveaways, activities, workshops and talks with authors all day!

Special guests include:Alan Wade (children's author of the 'Grandma & Grandpa and the Dreaded CurlyWurly Fish' series)Moira Wairama (children's author of 'the Taniwha of Wellington Harbour')Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (illustrator of 'Stranded')Ned Barraud (children's author/illustrator of 'Māngo')

VOLUME, Nelson

When: until midnight 7 October!

What: VOLUME is holding a photo competition! Send them a photograph of a book (or a stack of books!) you have purchased from their store. Every entry goes in the draw to win a 6-month VOLUME Reading Subscription.Full details are in their newsletter here.

Timaru Booksellers, Timaru

When: 7 October, all day

What: celebrate with Timaru Booksellers’ special guests Andrew Paul Wood (MUP) reading storytime for the kids at 11am and a poetry reading by Rushi Vyas (OUP) and local favourites Liz Breslin (OUP & Dead Bird Books) and Eliana Gray (AUP) at midday. Throughout the day there will be book giveaways and prizes from local independent shops — in a celebration of books and the local community.

For more details on NZ Bookshop Day 2023 take a look here