2024's most beautifully designed books revealed

The most beautifully designed books in Aotearoa have been revealed with the announcement of the 2024 PANZ Book Design Awards finalists.

The Publishers Association of New Zealand Te Rau o Tākupu (PANZ) established the awards to promote excellence in, and provide recognition for, the best book design in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This year’s judges, Anna Brown (convenor), Massey University, Te Kani Price, Huia Publishers, Simon Waterfield, Lift Education, and Chloe Blades, Unity Books, faced the daunting task of selecting the standouts from a strong pool of 134 submissions.

“Across the more than 130 entries we had the pleasure of reviewing we were struck by the diversity of book design and artistic expression. Alongside grand and bold designs sat quieter books with intricately crafted typographic detail,” said Brown.

“We were invigorated by the publishing community's commitment to celebrating and elevating indigenous design. This year’s selections not only showcase extraordinary design but also honour the richness of Māori and Pacific narratives.”

The Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand Award for Best Typography was a particularly strong category this year with the judges impressed by the diversity of entries. Submissions included books across genres, including children’s, illustrated, non-illustrated and education.

The judges now face the difficult task of narrowing down the winners of the 9 categories and selecting the recipient of the main prize, the Gerard Reid Award for Best Book sponsored by Nielsen BookData. The winners will be announced at a special ceremony in Auckland on 19 September where attendees will also be able to vote for the Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand People’s Choice Award.

The industry’s design talent will assemble the next day for the PANZ Book Design Workshop which provides the opportunity to dissect the awards, enjoy panel sessions led by leading book designers and network with peers. The 2024 PANZ Book Design Awards finalists are: Penguin Random House New Zealand Award for Best Illustrated Book • The Chair by Kim Paton (Objectspace). Cover design by Toby Curnow (Inhouse), interior by Arch MacDonnell & Jane MacDonnell (Inhouse) • Flora: Celebrating Our Botanical World edited by Carlos Lehnebach, Claire Regnault, Rebecca Rice, Isaac Te Awa, and Rachel Yates (Te Papa Press). Designed by Alan Deare and Dave McDonald (Area Design) • The Lost Hours by Laurence Simmons (Six Point Press). Designed by Arch MacDonnell (Inhouse) • Pacific Arts Aotearoa edited by Lana Lopesi (Penguin Random House NZ in association with Pacific Arts, Creative New Zealand|Toi Aotearoa). Cover designed by Shaun Naufahu (Alt Group), interior by Shaun Naufahu (Alt Group) & Katrina Duncan • Rewi: Āta haere, kia tere by Jade Kake and Jeremy Hansen (Massey University Press). Cover designed by Tyrone Ohia & Eva Charlton (Extended Whānau), interior by Tyrone Ohia, Eva Charlton, Max Quinn-Tapara (Extended Whānau) & Katrina Duncan Upstart Press Award for Best Non-Illustrated Book • ‘A Bloody Difficult Subject': Ruth Ross, te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Making of History by Bain Attwood (Auckland University Press). Designed by Duncan Munro • Blood and Dirt: Prison Labour and the Making of New Zealand by Jared Davidson (Bridget Williams Books). Cover designed by Keely O’Shannessy, interior by Katrina Duncan & Keely O’Shannessy • Continuous Ferment: A History of Beer and Brewing in New Zealand by Greg Ryan (Auckland University Press). Designed by Duncan Munro • Nga Kupu Wero edited by Witi Ihimaera and Te Awa o Kupu edited by Vaughan Rapatahana & KiriPiahana-Wong (Penguin Random House NZ). Designed by Carla Sy • Past the Tower, Under the Tree: Twelve Stories of Learning in Community edited by Balamohan Shingade and Erena Shingade (GLORIA Books). Designed by Katie Kerr Scholastic New Zealand Award for Best Children’s Book • At the Bach by Joy Cowley and Hilary Jean Tapper (Gecko Press). Designed by Vida Kelly • Lucy and the Dark by Melinda Szymanik and Vasanti Unka (Penguin Random House NZ). Designed by Cat Taylor • The Observologist by Giselle Clarkson (Gecko Press). Designed by Vida Kelly • Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai by Michaela Keeble and Tokerau Brown (Gecko Press). Designed by Vida Kelly • Patu: The New Zealand Wars by Gavin Bishop (Penguin Random House NZ). Designed by Luke Kelly • There Was an Odd Farmer Who Swallowed a Fly by Peter Millett and Paul Beavis (Penguin Random House NZ). Designed by Carla Sy Lift Education Award for Best Education Book or Series — Primary • Kuwi & Friends He Puka Ngohe: Activity Book by Kat Quin, translated by Pānia Papa (Illustrated Publishing). Designed by Kat Quin and Chelsea McKirdy • Te Oranga Mauri - Wellbeing Storybook set: Te Whānau Aroha o Tipene by Amiria Stirling; Sammy's Koha by T. K. Roxborogh; A Kite for Tiare by Teremoana MaUa-Hodges; Amanaki Learns at Home by Mafi and David Taumoepeau; Kiara Loves White Sunday by Rosettastone Lupeli (Huia Publishers). Designed by Christine Ling • Year 7 Mathematics Start Right Workbook by Phyl Haydock and Caroline Mulholland (ESA Publications (NZ) Ltd trading as LearnWell). Cover design by Barnaby McBryde (LearnWell) & Jane Meder (Jane Meder Illustration and Design), interior by Pietro Lubich (LearnWell) & Jane Meder (Jane Meder Illustration and Design)

Lift Education Award for Best Education Book or Series — Secondary/Tertiary • Gamma Mathematics by David Barton (Edify). Designed by Anne Taylor (Boulder Bay Design) • Reo Ora – Ko Te Weu Level Three: A Māori Language Course for Intermediate Learners by Rāpata Wiri (Huia Publishers). Designed by Camilla Lau • Te Kakano (Te Whanake series) by John C. Moorfield and Rachael Ka'ai-Mahuta (Edify). Cover designed by Benek Lisefski, interior by Shaun Jury, illustrations by Izzy Joy Te Aho-White • Year 9 Material World Learning Guide and Year 9 Physical World Learning Guide by LearnWell (ESA Publications trading as LearnWell). Covers designed by Barnaby McBryde (LearnWell), interior Ellen Mackenzie & Angus Mackenzie (LearnWell) 1010 Printing Award for Best Cookbook • The Abundant Kitchen by Niva Kay and Yotam Kay (Allen & Unwin). Designed by Megan van Staden • Butter, Butter by Petra Galler (Allen & Unwin). Designed by Kate Barraclough • Enjoy: Food Worth Sharing with the People You Love by Kelly Gibney (Beatnik). Designed by Sally Greer • The Lucky Taco Cookbook by Sarah & Otis Frizzell (Penguin Random House NZ). Designed by Cat Taylor • Plated: A lifetime love affair with food by Tina Duncan (Camberdown Press). Designed by Anna Wilkinson with Creative Directors Alan Deare & Dave McDonald (Area Design) Allen & Unwin Award for Best Commercial Book for Adults • Be Your Best Self by Rebekah Ballagh (Allen & Unwin). Designed by Kate Barraclough with illustrations by Rebekah Ballagh • Fungi of Aotearoa by Liv Sisson (Penguin Random House NZ). Designed by Carla Sy • Our Land in Colour by Brendan Graham & Jock Phillips (HarperCollins Publishers Australia and New Zealand). Designed by Julia Murray & Steven Ranson • Sure to Rise: The Edmonds story by Peter Alsop, Kate Parsonson and Richard Wolfe (Canterbury University Press). Designed by Peter Alsop and Gary Stewart (The Gas Project) • Whakawhetai: Gratitude by Hira Nathan (Allen & Unwin). Designed by Megan van Staden with illustrations by Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho HarperCollins Publishers Award for Best Cover • The Chair by Kim Paton (Objectspace). Cover design by Toby Curnow (Inhouse) • Flora: Celebrating Our Botanical World edited by Carlos Lehnebach, Claire Regnault, Rebecca Rice, Isaac Te Awa, and Rachel Yates (Te Papa Press). Designed by Alan Deare and Dave McDonald (Area Design) • Fungi of Aotearoa by Liv Sisson (Penguin Random House NZ). Designed by Carla Sy • Past the Tower, Under the Tree: Twelve Stories of Learning in Community edited by Balamohan Shingade and Erena Shingade (GLORIA Books). Designed by Katie Kerr • Rewi: Āta haere, kia tere by Jade Kake and Jeremy Hansen (Massey University Press). Cover designed by Tyrone Ohia & Eva Charlton (Extended Whānau) • by Hannah Mettner (Te Herenga Waka University Press). Designed by Andy Shaw Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand Award for Best Typography • by Bain Attwood (Auckland University Press). Designed by Duncan Munro • by Kim Paton (Objectspace). Cover design by Toby Curnow (Inhouse), interior by Arch MacDonnell & Jane MacDonnell (Inhouse) • by Francis Pound (Auckland University Press). Designed by Arch MacDonnell (Inhouse)