Once a year, the creators of the nation’s finest books step into the spotlight. The prestigious Ockham New Zealand Book Awards bring together writers, publishers, booksellers and readers for a celebration of stories, ideas and craft on the big stage.

First up is the presentation of the Mātātuhi Foundation Best First Book awards. Then, guided by MC Miriama Kamo (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga), the judges will announce the winners of the General Non-Fiction Award, the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry, the BookHub Award for Illustrated Non-Fiction, and finally the $65,000 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction. You will also hear from all the finalists. This is the night to discover, applaud and be immersed in New Zealand’s best writing. All welcome!

Finalists

General Non-Fiction Award: Jacinda Ardern; Naomi Arnold; Peta Carey; Tina Makereti (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangatahi-Matakore, Pākehā)

Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry: Nafanua Purcell Kersel (Satupa‘itea, Faleālupo, Aleipata, Tuaefu); Sophie van Waardenberg; Erik Kennedy; Anna Jackson

BookHub Award for Illustrated Non-Fiction: Charlotte Macdonald; Philip Garnock-Jones; Sarah Farrar; Elizabeth Cox

Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction: Ingrid Horrocks; Laura Vincent (Ngāti Māhanga, Ngāpuhi); Sam Mahon; Catherine Chidgey