The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are literary awards presented annually in New Zealand. The awards began in 1996 as the merger of two literary awards events: the New Zealand Book Awards, which ran from 1976 to 1995, and the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards, which ran from 1968 to 1995 (known as the Montana Book Awards from 1994 to 1995). The awards have changed name several times depending on sponsorship. From 1996 to 2009, the awards were known as the Montana New Zealand Book Awards, and sponsored by Montana Wines. From 2010 until 2014, the awards were known as the New Zealand Post Book Awards. Since 2015, the main sponsors have been property developer Ockham Residential, the Acorn Foundation,

Creative New Zealand The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa (Creative New Zealand) is the national arts development agency of the New Zealand government, investing in artists and arts organisations, offering capability building programmes and developing markets ...

, Mary and Peter Biggs, Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand and biotech company MitoQ. The awards event is the opening event of the

Auckland Writers Festival Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki is the largest annual literary festival in Aotearoa New Zealand since 1999. It has about 200 public events each year featuring local and international writers as guests. History and staff The inau ...

, held annually in May.

History and format

Before 1996 there were two major New Zealand literary awards events: the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards (1968 to 1995, known as the Montana Book Awards from 1994 to 1995) and the New Zealand Book Awards (1976 to 1995). The Wattie Book of the Year Award (named for Sir James Wattie) was formed in 1968, supported by the New Zealand Publishers Association and sponsored by the company

Wattie's Heinz Wattie's Limited (or simply Wattie's) is a New Zealand-based food producer of frozen and packaged fruit, vegetables, sauces, baby food, cooking sauces, dressings and pet foods in the New Zealand market. History Founded in 1934 by Sir Jam ...

. This award was the first of its kind in New Zealand. The first recipients were John Morton and Michael Miller for ''The New Zealand Sea Shore''. The first novel to win an award was ''Smith's Dream'' by C.K. Stead in 1972. The award became the Goodman Fielder Wattie Awards, and only had a single category covering fiction, non-fiction and other genres. In 1994 the winemaking company Montana became the sponsor and the awards were renamed to the Montana Book Awards. The New Zealand Book Awards were set up by the New Zealand Literary Fund, a government organisation, in 1976. Annual awards were presented for literary merit in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and (later) book production. In 1996, the two award series were amalgamated to form the Montana New Zealand Book Awards, managed by Booksellers New Zealand (a bookselling association) and offering prizes in six categories. In 2010, the

New Zealand Post NZ Post ( mi, Tukurau Aotearoa), shortened from New Zealand Post, is a state-owned enterprise responsible for providing postal service in New Zealand. The New Zealand Post Office, a government agency, provided postal, banking, and telecommuni ...

took over as sponsor, having supported the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults for the previous 14 years. In 2015, Auckland property development firm Ockham Residential assumed sponsorship of the awards, and the New Zealand Book Awards Trust took over the governance and management. No prizes were presented in that year, and the awards were streamlined to discontinue the Book of the Year Award, the Booksellers' Choice Award and the People's Choice Award. Since the first Ockham New Zealand Book Awards in 2016, the ceremony has been held each year in May, as part of the Auckland Writers Festival. In 2020 the award winners were announced in a virtual presentation, after the Auckland Writers Festival was cancelled due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identi ...

. , there are five principal prizes: fiction (currently known as the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction), general non-fiction (sponsored by

Royal Society Te Apārangi The Royal Society Te Apārangi (in full, Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi) is an independent, statutory not-for-profit body in New Zealand providing funding and policy advice in the fields of sciences and the humanities. History The R ...

), illustrated non-fiction, poetry (currently known as the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry) and Te Mūrau o te Tuhi Māori Language Award for books written entirely in te reo Māori. "Best First Book" prizes are awarded to first time authors in the first four categories, currently sponsored by MitoQ. Each category is judged by a panel of three judges. Winners of the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction receive a minimum of 55,000, and is the largest cash book prize in New Zealand. The other principal prizewinners receive 10,000 each, and the winners of the four MitoQ Best First Book awards receive 2,500.

Fiction

Fiction award

Since 2020, the top prize for fiction has been the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction. Between 2017 and 2019, the top prize for fiction was known as the Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize. In 2017, it was known as the Acorn Foundation Literary Award. From 1996 to 2016, it was known as the Fiction Prize. * 2022 – Whiti Hereaka, ''Kurangaituku''. Huia Publishers * 2021 – Airini Beautrais, ''Bug Week & Other Stories''.

Victoria University Press Te Herenga Waka University Press or THWUP (formerly Victoria University Press) is the book publishing arm of Victoria University of Wellington, located in Wellington, New Zealand. As of 2022, the press had published around 800 books. History Vi ...

* 2020 –

Becky Manawatu Becky Manawatu (born 1982) is a New Zealand writer of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe, Waitaha, and Pākehā background. In 2020, she won two Ockham New Zealand Book Awards for her first novel, ''Auē'' and Best Crime Novel at the 2020 Ngaio Mars ...

, ''Auē''.

Mākaro Press Mākaro Press is a New Zealand publisher based in Wellington. It was founded in 2013 and has published several award-winning books including ''Auē'' by Becky Manawatu. History Mākaro was founded in 2013 by novelist and editor Mary McCallu ...

* 2019 –

Fiona Kidman Dame Fiona Judith Kidman ( Eakin, born 26 March 1940) is a New Zealand novelist, poet, scriptwriter and short story writer. She grew up in Northland, and worked as a librarian and a freelance journalist early in her career. She began writing ...

, ''This Mortal Boy''.

Vintage Vintage, in winemaking, is the process of picking grapes and creating the finished product—wine (see Harvest (wine)). A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown and harvested in a single specified year. In certa ...

Penguin Random House Penguin Random House LLC is an Anglo-American multinational conglomerate publishing company formed on July 1, 2013, from the merger of Penguin Group and Random House. On April 2, 2020, Bertelsmann announced the completion of its purchase ...

* 2018 –

Pip Adam Pip Adam is a novelist, short story writer, and reviewer from New Zealand. Background Adam was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. She attended the New Zealand Film and Television School in Christchurch before moving to Dunedin. Adam has an M ...

, ''The New Animals''.

* 2017 – Catherine Chidgey, ''The Wish Child''. Victoria University Press * 2016 – Stephen Daisley, ''Coming Rain''.

Text Publishing Text Publishing is an independent Australian publisher of fiction and non-fiction, based in Melbourne, Victoria. Company background Text Media was founded in Melbourne in 1990 by Diana Gribble and Eric Beecher, along with designer Chong Weng ...

* 2015 – no award due to change of sponsors * 2014 –

Eleanor Catton Eleanor Catton (born 24 September 1985) is a New Zealand novelist and screenwriter. Born in Canada, Catton moved to New Zealand as a child and grew up in Christchurch. She completed a master's degree in creative writing at the International In ...

, ''

The Luminaries ''The Luminaries'' is a 2013 novel by Eleanor Catton. Set in New Zealand's South Island in 1866, the novel follows Walter Moody, a prospector who travels to the West Coast, New Zealand, West Coast settlement of Hokitika to make his fortune on ...

''. Victoria University Press * 2013 – Kirsty Gunn, ''The Big Music''. Faber and Faber * 2012 – Paula Morris, ''Rangatira''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2011 – Laurence Fearnley, ''The Hut Builder''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2010 – Alison Wong, ''As the Earth Turns Silver''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2009 –

Emily Perkins Emily Jean Perkins (born May 4, 1977) is a Canadian former actress, best known for her roles as Crystal Braywood in the TV series ''Hiccups'', young Beverly Marsh in '' Stephen King's It'', and Brigitte Fitzgerald in ''Ginger Snaps''. Since the l ...

, ''A Novel About My Wife''. Bloomsbury * 2008 –

Charlotte Grimshaw Charlotte Grimshaw (born December 1966) is a New Zealand novelist, short-story writer, columnist and former lawyer. Since the publication of her debut novel ''Provocation'' (1999), she has received a number of significant literary awards incl ...

, ''Opportunity''. Random House NZ * 2007 – Lloyd Jones, '' Mister Pip''. Penguin * 2006 – Maurice Gee, ''Blindsight''. Penguin * 2005 –

Patricia Grace Patricia Frances Grace (; born 17 August 1937) is a New Zealand Māori writer of novels, short stories, and children's books. She began writing as a young adult, while working as a teacher. Her early short stories were published in magazines ...

, ''Tu''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2004 – Annamarie Jagose, '' Slow Water''. Victoria University Press * 2003 – Stephanie Johnson, ''The Shag Incident''. Vintage Books * 2002 – Craig Marriner, '' Stonedogs''. Vintage Books * 2001 – Lloyd Jones, ''The Book of Fame''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2000 – Owen Marshall, ''Harlequin Rex''. Vintage * 1999 – Elizabeth Knox, '' The Vintner's Luck''. Victoria University Press * 1998 – Maurice Gee, ''Live Bodies''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 1997 –

Alan Duff Alan Duff (born 26 October 1950) is a New Zealand novelist and newspaper columnist. He is best known as the author of the novel '' Once Were Warriors'' (1990), which was made into a film of the same name in 1994. Biography Alan Duff was bo ...

, '' What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?''. Vintage * 1996 – Sheridan Keith, ''Zoology: A Novel''. Penguin

Best first book award (fiction)

Since 2018, this award has been known as the MitoQ Best First Book Awards: Hubert Church Prize for Fiction. Between 2015 and 2018, this award was known as the Hubert Church Best First Book Award for Fiction. From 1997 to 2014, this award was known as the NZSA Hubert Church Best First Book of Fiction Prize. In 1996, this award was known as the Best First Book Award, Fiction. Prior to 1996, this award had been presented since 1945 by PEN NZ, and was named for the poet, novelist and critic

Hubert Church Hubert Newman Wigmore Church (13 June 1857 – 8 April 1932) was an Australian poet. Church was born in Hobart, Tasmania, the son of Hubert Day Church and his wife Mary Ann. His father, a barrister, came from Somerset and was a descendant of the ...

. * 2022 –

Rebecca K Reilly Rebecca K Reilly (born 1991) is a New Zealand author. Her debut novel ''Greta & Valdin'' (2021) received the 2019 Adam Foundation Prize in Creative Writing. At the 2022 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, it was shortlisted for the Jann Medlicott A ...

, ''Greta & Valdin''. Te Herenga Waka University Press * 2021 –

Rachel Kerr Rachel Charmaine Kerr is a British singer/songwriter, celebrity vocal coach and entrepreneur from Walsall, England. She is also the CEO and founder of Singercise. She is a member of the Grammy Award Association and a BET Music Matters endorsed ...

, ''Victory Park''.

* 2020 –

, ''Auē''. Mākaro Press * 2019 – Kirsten Warner, ''The Sound of Breaking Glass''. Mākaro Press * 2018 –

Annaleese Jochems Annaleese Jochems (born 1994) is a New Zealand author and bookseller. Her debut novel ''Baby'' (2017) won the Adam Foundation Prize in Creative Writing and the Hubert Church Best First Book Award for Fiction at the Ockham New Zealand Book Award ...

, ''Baby''. Victoria University Press * 2017 – Gina Cole, ''Black Ice Matter''. Huia Publishers * 2016 – David Coventry, ''The Invisible Mile''.

* 2015 – no award due to change of sponsors * 2014 – Amy Head, ''Tough''. Victoria University Press * 2013 – Lawrence Patchett, ''I Got His Blood on Me''. Victoria University Press * 2012 – Hamish Clayton, ''Wulf''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2011 –

, ''Everything We Hoped for''. Victoria University Press * 2010 – Anna Taylor, ''Relief''. Victoria University Press * 2009 –

, ''The Rehearsal''. Victoria University Press * 2008 – Mary McCallum, ''The Blue''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2007 – Rachael King, ''The Sound of Butterflies''. Black Swan * 2006 – Gillian Ranstead, ''A Red Silk Sea''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2005 – Julian Novitz, ''My Real Life and Other Stories''.

* 2004 – Kelly Ana Morey, ''Bloom''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2003 – Paula Morris ''Queen of Beauty''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2002 – Craig Marriner, '' Stonedogs''. Vintage Books * 2001 –

Karyn Hay Karyn Hay (born 1959 in Auckland) is a New Zealand author and broadcaster. She came to fame as the presenter of 1980s music TV show Radio with Pictures before going on to an extensive career in television and radio. Early life Hay grew up in t ...

, ''Emerald Budgies''. Vintage Books * 2000 –

Duncan Sarkies Duncan Sarkies is a New Zealand screenwriter, playwright, novelist, stand-up comic and short story writer. Sarkies grew up in the South Island city of Dunedin and is the brother of Robert Sarkies a New Zealand film director who is also a scrip ...

, ''Stray Thoughts And Nosebleeds''. Victoria University Press * 1999 – William Brandt, ''Alpha Male''. Victoria University Press * 1998 – Catherine Chidgey, ''In a Fishbone Church''. Victoria University Press * 1997 – Dominic Sheehan, ''Finding Home''. Secker & Waburg * 1996 –

, ''Not Her Real Name''. Victoria University Press

Poetry

Poetry award

Since 2020, this award has been the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry. Before 2019, this award was known as the Poetry Award. * 2022 –

Joanna Preston Joanna Preston (born 1972) is an Australian poet, editor and creative writing tutor based in New Zealand. She has published two award-winning collections of poetry. Life and career Preston was born in Sydney in 1972, and grew up in rural New S ...

, ''Tumble''.

Otago University Press Otago University Press is an academic publisher associated with the University of Otago. The press is located in Dunedin, New Zealand. The Otago University Press is the oldest academic publisher in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Otago University Press p ...

* 2021 –

Tusiata Avia Donna Tusiata Avia (born 1966) is a New Zealand poet and children's author. Background Avia was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her father is Samoan and her mother is Palagi (New Zealand European). Avia graduated from the Univ ...

, ''The Savage Coloniser Book''.

* 2020 –

Helen Rickerby Helen Rickerby is a New Zealand poet, writer, editor and publisher. In 2020, she won the Mary and Peter Biggs poetry prize at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Biography In 1995, she was part of the group that founded ''JAAM'' literary journa ...

, ''How to Live''.

Auckland University Press Auckland University Press is a New Zealand publisher that produces creative and scholarly work for a general audience. Founded in 1966 and formally recognised as Auckland University Press in 1972, it is an independent publisher based within The ...

* 2019 – Helen Heath, ''Are Friends Electric?''. Victoria University Press * 2018 – Elizabeth Smither, ''Night Horse''. Auckland University Press * 2017 – Andrew Johnston, ''Fits & Starts''. Victoria University Press * 2016 – David Eggleton, ''The Conch Trumpet''.

* 2015 – no award due to change of sponsors * 2014 – Vincent O'Sullivan, ''Us, Then''. Victoria University Press * 2013 – Anne Kennedy, ''The Darling North''. Auckland University Press * 2012 –

Rhian Gallagher Rhian Gallagher (born 1961) is a poet from New Zealand. Background Gallagher was born in 1961 in Timaru, New Zealand. She currently lives in Dunedin. Career Between 1995 and 2005, Gallagher worked in publishing in London before returning t ...

, ''Shift''. Auckland University Press * 2011 –

Kate Camp Kate Camp (born 1972) is a New Zealand poet and author who currently resides in Wellington. Early life and education Camp was born in 1972 in Wellington, New Zealand. She has a BA in English from the Victoria University of Wellington. Career ...

, ''The Mirror of Simple Annihilated Souls''. Victoria University Press * 2010 – Brian Turner, ''Just This''. Victoria University Press * 2009 –

Jenny Bornholdt Jennifer Mary Bornholdt (born 1 November 1960) is a New Zealand poet and anthologist. Biography Born in Lower Hutt, Bornholdt received a bachelor's degree in English Literature and a Diploma in Journalism. She studied poetry with Bill Manhire ...

, ''The Rocky Shore''. Victoria University Press * 2008 –

Janet Charman Janet Charman (born 1954) is a poet from New Zealand. Background Born in 1954, Charman grew up in the Hutt Valley and Taranaki. Charman initially trained as a nurse and worked in social welfare. After receiving an MA in English from the Univ ...

, ''Cold Snack''. Auckland University Press * 2007 –

Janet Frame Janet Paterson Frame (28 August 1924 – 29 January 2004) was a New Zealand author. She was internationally renowned for her work, which included novels, short stories, poetry, juvenile fiction, and an autobiography, and received numerous awar ...

, ''The Goose Bath''.

* 2006 –

Bill Manhire William Manhire (born 27 December 1946) is a New Zealand poet, short story writer, emeritus professor, and New Zealand's inaugural Poet Laureate (1997–1998). He founded New Zealand's first creative writing course at Victoria University of Well ...

, ''Lifted''. Victoria University Press * 2005 – Vincent O'Sullivan, ''Nice Morning for It, Adam''. Victoria University Press * 2004 – Anne Kennedy, ''Sing-song''. Auckland University Press * 2003 –

Glenn Colquhoun Dr. Glenn Colquhoun (born 1964) is a New Zealand poet and general practitioner. Life Colquhoun was born in Papakura, Auckland, and practices medicine on the Kapiti Coast. He lives in Waikawa Beach with his young daughter Olive. Colquhoun's firs ...

, ''Playing God''. Steele Roberts * 2002 –

Hone Tuwhare Honing is a kind of metalworking. Hone may also refer to: * Hone (name) (incl. Hōne), a list of people with the surname, given name or nickname * Hõne language Hõne is a Jukunoid language spoken in Gombe State and Taraba State, Nigeria ...

, ''Piggy-back Moon''. Godwit * 2001 –

Allen Curnow Thomas Allen Monro Curnow (17 June 1911 – 23 September 2001) was a New Zealand poet and journalist. Life Curnow was born in Timaru, New Zealand, the son of a fourth generation New Zealander, an Anglican clergyman, and he grew up in a relig ...

, ''The Bells of St Babel's''. Auckland University Press * 2000 – Elizabeth Smither, ''The Lark Quartet''. Auckland University Press * 1999 – Vincent O'Sullivan, ''Seeing You Asked''. Victoria University Press * 1998 –

, ''Shape-Shifter''. Steele Roberts * 1997 – edited by Jenny Bornholdt, Gregory O'Brien and Mark Williams, ''An Anthology of New Zealand Poetry in English''. Oxford University Press * 1996 –

, ''My Sunshine''. Victoria University Press

Best first book award (poetry)

Since 2018, this award has been the MitoQ Best First Book Awards: Jessie Mackay Prize for Poetry. Between 2015 and 2018, this award was known as the Jessie Mackay Best First Book Award for Poetry. From 1997 to 2014, this award was known as the NZSA Jessie Mackay Best First Book of Poetry Prize. In 1996, this award was known as the Best First Book Award, Poetry. Prior to 1996, this award had been presented since 1940 by PEN NZ, and was named for

Jessie Mackay Jessie Mackay (15 December 1864 – 23 August 1938) was a New Zealand poet, journalist, feminist and animal rights activist.Amey, Catherine. (2014). ''The Compassionate Contrarians: A History of Vegetarians in Aotearoa New Zealand''. Rebel Pr ...

, New Zealand's first local-born poet. * 2022 – Nicole Titihuia Hawkins, ''Whai''. We Are Babies Press * 2021 – Jackson Nieuwland, ''I Am a Human Being''. Compound Press * 2020 –

Jane Arthur Jane Arthur (18 November 1827 – 25 May 1907), was a Scottish feminist, philanthropist and activist. She was the first woman to be elected to a Scottish school board. Life Jane Glen was born in Foxbar in Renfrewshire on 18 November 1827 to Jes ...

, ''Craven''.

* 2019 –

Tayi Tibble Tayi Tibble (born 1995) is a New Zealand poet. Her poetry reflects Māori culture and her own family history. Her first collection of poetry, ''Poūkahangatus'' (2018), received the Jessie Mackay Prize for Poetry at the 2019 Ockham New Zealand B ...

, ''Poūkahangatus''. Victoria University Press * 2018 – Hannah Mettner, ''Fully Clothed and So Forgetful''. Victoria University Press * 2017 – Hera Lindsay Bird, ''Hera Lindsay Bird''. Victoria University Press * 2016 – Chris Tse, ''How to be Dead in a Year of Snakes''.

* 2015 – no award due to change of sponsors * 2014 – Marty Smith, ''Horse with Hat''. Victoria University Press * 2013 – Helen Heath, ''Graft''. Victoria University Press * 2012 –

John Adams John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency, he was a leader of t ...

, ''Briefcase''. Auckland University Press * 2011 –

Lynn Jenner Lynn Jenner is a poet and essayist from New Zealand. Background Jenner was born in Hāwera, Taranaki. She worked as an educational psychologist and counsellor until 2003. She began studying writing at Whitireia Polytechnic and completed an M ...

, ''Dear Sweet Harry''. Auckland University Press * 2010 –

Selina Tusitala Marsh Selina Tusitala Marsh (born 21 April 1971) is a New Zealand poet and academic, and was the New Zealand Poet Laureate for 2017–2019. Early life Marsh was born in 1971 in Auckland, New Zealand. Through her mother, Sailigi Tusitala, Marsh is o ...

, ''Fast Talking PI''. Auckland University Press * 2009 – Sam Sampson, ''Everything Talks''. Auckland University Press * 2008 – Jessica Le Bas, ''Incognito''. Auckland University Press * 2007 – Airini Beautrais, ''Secret Heart''. Victoria University Press * 2006 –

Karlo Mila Karlo Estelle Mila (born 1974) is a New Zealand writer and poet of Tongan, Pālagi and Samoan descent. Her first collection, ''Dream Fish Floating'', received the NZSA Jessie Mackay Award for Best First Book of Poetry in 2006 at the Montana Ne ...

, ''Dream Fish Floating''. Huia Publishers * 2005 – Sonja Yelich, ''Clung''. Auckland University Press * 2004 – Cliff Fell, ''The Adulterer's Bible''. Victoria University Press * 2003 –

Kay McKenzie Cooke Kay McKenzie Cooke (born 1953) is a poet from New Zealand. Background Cooke was born in 1953 in Tuatapere, Southland, New Zealand. She is of Kai Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, English, Scottish, and Irish descent. She attended the Dunedin Teachers' Co ...

, ''Feeding the Dogs, Kay McKenzie Cooke''. University of Otago Press * 2002 – Chris Price, ''Husk''. Auckland University Press * 2001 – Stephanie de Montalk, ''Animals Indoors''. Victoria University Press * 2000 –

, ''The Art of Walking Upright''. Steele Roberts * 1999 –

, ''Unfamiliar Legends of the Stars''. Victoria University Press * 1998 – Kapka Kassabova, ''All Roads Lead to the Sea''. Auckland University Press * 1997 –

Diane Brown Diane Edith Brown (born 1951) is a novelist and poet from New Zealand. Background Brown was born in 1951. She is based in Dunedin. Career Brown has published several novels and poetry collections including: * ''Before The Divorce We Go T ...

, ''Before the Divorce We Go To Disneyland''. Tandem Press * 1996 – James Brown, ''Go Round Power Please''. Victoria University Press

General non-fiction

General non-fiction award

Since 2020, the top prize for general non-fiction has been the General Non-Fiction Award. Between 2016 and 2019, this award was known as the Royal Society Te Apārangi Award. Between 2010 and 2015, this award was known as the General Non-Fiction Prize. Between 1998 and 2009, the top prize for non-fiction was the Montana Medal for Non-Fiction. There was no top prize for general non-fiction in 1996 or 1997. * 2022 –

Vincent O'Malley Vincent Michael O’Malley MRSNZ FRHistS is a New Zealand historian whose work focuses on the history of how relationships between Māori, European settlers (Pākehā) and colonial governments shapes the development of New Zealand as a nation ...

, ''Voices from the New Zealand Wars , He Reo nō ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa''. Bridget Williams Books * 2021 – Vincent O'Sullivan, ''The Dark is Light Enough: Ralph Hotere: A Biographical Portrait''. Penguin * 2020 –

Shayne Carter Shayne P. Carter is a New Zealand musician best known for leading Straitjacket Fits from 1986 to 1994, and as the only permanent member of Dimmer (1995–2012). Carter is a member of the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, and has been awarded the ...

, ''Dead People I Have Known''.

* 2019 –

Joanne Drayton Joanne Drayton is a New Zealand art historian, biographer and nonfiction writer. Drayton graduated from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch in 1998 with a PhD on "Edith Collier: Her life and work (1885–1964)". She adapted her thesis f ...

, ''Hudson & Halls: The Food of Love''.

* 2018 –

Diana Wichtel Diana Wichtel (born 1950 in Vancouver) is a New Zealand writer and critic. Her mother, Patricia, was a New Zealander; her father, Benjamin Wichtel, a Polish Jew who escaped from the Nazi train taking his family to the Treblinka extermination cam ...

, ''Driving to Treblinka: A Long Search for a Lost Father''. Awa Press * 2017 – Ashleigh Young, ''Can You Tolerate This?'' Victoria University Press * 2016 –

Witi Ihimaera Witi Tame Ihimaera-Smiler (; born 7 February 1944) is a New Zealand author. Raised in the small town of Waituhi, he decided to become a writer as a teenager after being convinced that Māori people were ignored or mischaracterised in literat ...

, ''Māori Boy: A Memoir of Childhood''.

* 2015 – no award due to change of sponsors * 2014 – Jill Trevelyan, ''Peter McLeavey: The life and times of a New Zealand art dealer''. Te Papa Press * 2013 – Steve Braunias, ''Civilisation: Twenty Places on the Edge of the World''. Awa Press * 2012 – Joan Druett, ''Tupaia: The Remarkable Story of Captain Cook’s Polynesian Navigator''. Random House NZ * 2011 – Chris Bourke, ''Blue Smoke: The Lost Dawn of New Zealand Popular Music 1918–1964''.

* 2010 – Judith Binney, ''Encircled Lands: Te Urewera, 1820–1921''. Bridget Williams Books * 2009 – Jill Trevelyan, ''Rita Angus: An Artist’s Life''. Te Papa Press * 2008 –

Janet Hunt Janet may refer to: Names * Janet (given name) * Janet (French singer) (1939–2011) Surname * Charles Janet (1849–1932), French engineer, inventor and biologist, known for the Left Step periodic table * Jules Janet (1861–1945), French psych ...

, ''Wetlands of New Zealand''. Random House NZ * 2007 –

Audrey Eagle Audrey Lily Eagle (née Brodey; 30 October 1925 – 27 November 2022) was a New Zealand botanical illustrator, whose work mainly focused on New Zealand's distinctive trees and shrubs. As the author and illustrator of the two volume ''Eagle's ...

, ''Eagle's Complete Trees and Shrubs of New Zealand''. Te Papa Press * 2006 – Philip Simpson, ''Pōhutukawa & Rātā: New Zealand's Iron-hearted Trees''. Te Papa Press * 2005 – Douglas Lloyd Jenkins, ''At Home: A Century of New Zealand Design''. Godwit Press * 2004 – Anne Salmond, ''The Trial of the Cannibal Dog''. Allen Lane / Penguin Group (NZ) * 2003 – Michael Cooper, ''Wine Atlas of New Zealand''. Hodder Moa Beckett * 2002 – Lynley Hood, ''A City Possessed: The Christchurch Civic Creche Case''. Longacre Press * 2001 – Michael King, ''Wrestling with the Angel: A Life of Janet Frame''.

Viking Press Viking Press (formally Viking Penguin, also listed as Viking Books) is an American publishing company owned by Penguin Random House. It was founded in New York City on March 1, 1925, by Harold K. Guinzburg and George S. Oppenheim and then acquir ...

* 2000 –

Grahame Sydney Sir Grahame Charles Sydney (born 1948) is a New Zealand visual artist, based in the South Island region of Central Otago. Since beginning his professional art life in 1974 he has worked as a painter (in egg tempera, oil and watercolour), prin ...

, ''The Art of Grahame Sydney''. Longacre Press * 1999 – Heather Nicholson, ''The Loving Stitch: A history of knitting and spinning in New Zealand''. Auckland University Press * 1998 –

Harry Orsman Harry may refer to: TV shows * ''Harry'' (American TV series), a 1987 American comedy series starring Alan Arkin * ''Harry'' (British TV series), a 1993 BBC drama that ran for two seasons * ''Harry'' (talk show), a 2016 American daytime talk show ...

, ''Dictionary of New Zealand English: A Dictionary of New Zealandisms on Historical Principles''. Oxford University Press

Best first book award (general non-fiction)

Since 2019, this award has been known as the MitoQ Best First Book Awards: E H McCormick Prize for General Non-Fiction. Between 2015 and 2018, this award was known as the E H McCormick Best First Book Award for General Non-Fiction. From 1997 to 2014, this award was known as the NZSA E.H. McCormick Best First Book of Non-Fiction Prize. In 1996, this award was known as the Best First Book Award, Non-Fiction. The award is named for New Zealand historian and biographer Eric Hall McCormick. * 2022 – Dave Lowe, ''The Alarmist: Fifty Years Measuring Climate Change''. Te Herenga Waka University Press * 2021 – Madison Hamill, ''Specimen: Personal Essays''.

* 2020 –

, ''Dead People I Have Known''.

* 2019 – Chessie Henry, ''We Can Make a Life''. Victoria University Press * 2018 –

, ''Driving to Treblinka: A Long Search for a Lost Father''. Awa Press * 2017 – Adam Dudding, ''My Father’s Island''. Victoria University Press * 2016 – Melissa Matutina Williams, ''Panguru and the City, Kāinga Tahi, Kāinga Rua: An Urban Migration History''. Bridget Williams Books * 2015 – no award due to change of sponsors * 2014 – Rebecca Macfie, ''Tragedy at Pike River Mine''. Awa Press * 2013 – Quinn Berentson, ''Moa: The Life and Death of New Zealand’s Legendary Bird''. Craig Potton Publishing * 2012 – Michael Smythe, ''New Zealand by Design''. Random House NZ * 2011 –

Poia Rewi Poia Rewi is a professor and the head of Te Tumu: School of Maori, Pacific, and Indigenous Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. He is known for his work in the areas of the revitalisation of the Māori language and (Māori ...

, ''Whaikōrero: The World of Māori Oratory''. Auckland University Press * 2010 – Pip Desmond, ''Trust: A True Story of Women & Gangs''. Random House NZ * 2009 –

Chris Brickell Chris is a short form of various names including Christopher, Christian, Christina, Christine, and Christos. Chris is also used as a name in its own right, however it is not as common. People with the given name *Chris Abani (born 1966), Nige ...

, ''Mates & Lovers: A History of Gay New Zealand''.

Godwit Press Godwit Press is a New Zealand publisher of non-fiction works, mainly of New Zealand arts, literature, and natural history. Initially founded in Auckland in 1989, the company was taken over by Random House New Zealand in 2000 and has since been its ...

* 2008 – Alan Clarke, ''The Great Sacred Forest of Tane''.

Raupo Publishing Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd (formerly A. H. Reed Ltd and A. H. and A. W. Reed Ltd) was one of the leading publishers in New Zealand. It was founded by Alfred Hamish Reed and his wife Isabel in 1907. Reed's nephew Alexander Wyclif Reed joined the fi ...

* 2007 – William Cottrell, ''Furniture of the New Zealand Colonial Era: An Illustrated History 1830–1900''. Reed Publishing * 2006 – Patrick Snedden, ''Pakeha and the Treaty: Why It's Our Treaty Too''. Random House NZ * 2005 – Douglas Wright, ''Ghost Dance''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2004 – Deidre Brown, ''Tai Tokerau Whakairo Rakau: Northland Maori Wood Carving''. Reed Publishing * 2003 – Sam Mahon, ''Year of the Horse''. Longacre Press * 2002 – Steve Braunias, ''Fool's Paradise''. Random House * 2001 – Paul Tapsell, ''Pukaki: A Comet Returns''. Reed Publishing * 2000 –

Peter Thomson Peter Thomson may refer to: * Peter Thomson (golfer) (1929–2018), Australian golfer * Peter Thomson (diplomat) (born 1948), Fiji's Permanent Representative to the United Nations * Peter Thomson (footballer) (born 1977), English footballer * Peter ...

, ''Kava in the Blood''. Tandem Press * 1999 – Helen Schamroth, ''100 New Zealand Craft Artists''. Godwit Press * 1998 – Genevieve Noser, ''Olives: the New Passion''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 1997 – Jessie Munro, ''The Story of Suzanne Aubert''. Auckland University Press/Bridget Williams Books * 1996 – Alex Frame, ''Salmond: Southern Jurist''. Victoria University Press

Illustrated non-fiction

Illustrated non-fiction award

Since 2004, this award has been known as the Illustrated Non-Fiction Award. From 1996 to 2003, this award was known as the Illustrative Arts Award. * 2022 – Claire Regnault, ''Dressed: Fashionable Dress in Aotearoa New Zealand 1840 to 1910''. Te Papa Press * 2021 – Monique Fiso, ''Hiakai: Modern Māori Cuisine''.

* 2020 – edited by Stephanie Gibson, Matariki Williams and Puawai Cairns, ''Protest Tautohetohe: Objects of Resistance, Persistence and Defiance''. Te Papa Press * 2019 – Sean Mallon and Sébastien Galliot, ''Tatau: A History of Sāmoan Tattooing''. Te Papa Press * 2018 –

Alison Jones Barbara Alison Jones is a New Zealand academic who works in the field of sociology of education. She is the great-great-great granddaughter of Andrew Buchanan, New Zealand politician 1862–1874; great-great granddaughter of William Baldwin Ne ...

and Kuni Kaa Jenkins, ''Tuai: A Traveller in Two Worlds''. Bridget Williams Books * 2017 –

Barbara Brookes Barbara Lesley Brookes (born 1955) is a New Zealand historian and academic. She specialises in women's history and medical history. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi in 2022. Biography Brookes completed a bachelor's ...

, ''A History of New Zealand Women''. Bridget Williams Books * 2016 –

Atholl Anderson Atholl John Anderson (born 1943) is a New Zealand archaeologist who has worked extensively in New Zealand and the Pacific. His work is notable for its syntheses of history, biology, ethnography and archaeological evidence. He made a major contr ...

, Judith Binney and Aroha Harris, ''Tangata Whenua: An Illustrated History''. Bridget Williams Books * 2015 – no award due to change of sponsors * 2014 –

Bruce Ansley The English language name Bruce arrived in Scotland with the Normans, from the place name Brix, Manche in Normandy, France, meaning "the willowlands". Initially promulgated via the descendants of king Robert the Bruce (1274−1329), it has been ...

Jane Ussher Philippa Jane Ussher (born 1953) is one of New Zealand's foremost documentary and portrait photographers. She joined the ''New Zealand Listener'' in 1977 and was chief photographer for 29 years, leaving to take up a career as a freelance photogra ...

, ''Coast: A New Zealand Journey''. Godwit Press * 2013 – Gregory O'Brien &

Gil Hanly Gillian Mary Hanly ( Taverner; born 1934) is a New Zealand artist. She is best known for documenting protests and social movements in New Zealand's recent history. Early life Hanly was born in 1934 in Levin, New Zealand. She has two younge ...

, ''Pat Hanly''. Ron Sang Publications * 2012 – John Dawson and

Rob Lucas Robert Ivan Lucas (born 7 June 1953) is a former Australian politician and a former member of the South Australian Legislative Council between the 1982 election and the 2022 election, representing the South Australian Division of the Liberal ...

, ''New Zealand's Native Trees''. Craig Potton Publishing * 2011 – Damian Skinner, ''The Passing World: The Passage of Life: John Hovell and the Art of Kowhaiwhai''. Rim Books * 2010 – Al Brown, ''Go Fish: Recipes and stories from the New Zealand Coast''. Random House NZ * 2009 –

Len Castle Leonard Ramsay Castle (23 December 1924 – 29 September 2011) was a New Zealand potter. Early life and family Born in Auckland on 23 December 1924, Castle was educated at Mount Albert Grammar School. He went on to study at Auckland Univ ...

, ''Len Castle: Making the Molecules Dance''. Lopdell House Gallery * 2008 – Jennifer Hay, with Ron Brownson,

Chris Knox Chris Knox (born 2 September 1952) is a New Zealand rock and roll musician, cartoonist and movie reviewer who emerged during the punk rock era with his bands The Enemy and Toy Love. After Toy Love disbanded in the early 1980s, he formed the g ...

, and

Laurence Aberhart Laurence Geoffrey Aberhart (born 1949) is a New Zealand photographer. Biography Aberhart was born in Nelson in 1949, along with three siblings, and was educated at Nelson College from 1963 to 1966.''Nelson College Old Boys' Register, 1856–200 ...

; designed by Aaron Beehre, ''Bill Hammond: Jingle Jangle Morning''.

Christchurch Art Gallery The Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, commonly known as the Christchurch Art Gallery, is the public art gallery of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It has its own substantial art collection and also presents a programme of New ...

* 2007 –

, ''Eagles Complete Trees and Shrubs of New Zealand''. Te Papa Press * 2006 – Edited by Hannah Holm & Lara Strongman, ''Contemporary New Zealand Photographers''.

* 2005 – Luit Bieringa, ''Handboek: Ans Westra Photographs''. BWX * 2004 – Arno Gasteiger, ''Central''.

* 2003 – Nancy Pel &

, ''Len Castle: Potter''. Ron Sang Publications * 2002 – Joan Whincup & Tony Whincup with Julia Parkinson (designer), ''Akekeia! Traditional Dance in Kiribati''. Susan Barrie * 2001 – Edited by

Ian Wedde Ian Curtis Wedde (born 17 October 1946) is a New Zealand poet, fiction writer, critic, and art curator. Biography Born in Blenheim, New Zealand, Wedde lived in East Pakistan and England as a child before returning to New Zealand. He attended ...

, ''Ralph Hotere: Black Light''. Te Papa Press &

Dunedin Public Art Gallery The Dunedin Public Art Gallery holds the main public art collection of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. Located in The Octagon in the heart of the city, it is close to the city's public library, Dunedin Town Hall, and other facilities such as ...

* 2000 –

, ''The Art of Grahame Sydney''. Longacre Press * 1999 – Helen Schamroth, ''100 New Zealand Craft Artists''. Godwit Press * 1998 – Roger Blackley, ''Goldie''. David Bateman * 1997 – edited by Sandy Adsett, Cliff Whiting and Witi Ihimaera, ''Mataora: The Living Face: Contemporary Maori Art''. David Bateman * 1996 – Winsome Shepherd, ''Gold and Silversmithing in Nineteenth and Twentieth Century New Zealand''. Museum of New Zealand

Best first book award (illustrated non-fiction)

Since 2020, this award has been the MitoQ Best First Book Awards: Judith Binney Prize for Illustrated Non-Fiction. From 2016 to 2019, this award was known as the Judith Binney Best First Book Award for Illustrated Non-Fiction. The award is named after the New Zealand historian Judith Binney. * 2022 – Bridget Hackshaw, ''The Architect and the Artists: Hackshaw, McCahon, Dibble''.

Massey University Press Massey University ( mi, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa) is a university based in Palmerston North, Palmerston North, New Zealand, with significant campuses in Albany, New Zealand, Albany and Wellington. Massey University has approximately 30,883 stud ...

* 2021 – Monique Fiso, ''Hiakai: Modern Māori Cuisine''.

* 2020 – Chris McDowall and Tim Denee, ''We Are Here: An Atlas of Aotearoa''.

* 2019 – John Reid, ''Whatever it Takes: Pacific Films and John O’Shea 1948–2000''.

* 2018 – Marcus Thomas and Neil Silverwood, ''Caves: Exploring New Zealand’s Subterranean Wilderness''. Whio Publishing * 2017 – Ngarino Ellis, ''A Whakapapa of Tradition: One Hundred Years of Ngāti Porou Carving, 1830–1930''.

* 2016 –

Richard Nunns Richard Anthony Nunns (7 December 1945 – 7 June 2021) was a Māori traditional instrumentalist of Pākehā heritage. He was particularly known for playing taonga pūoro and his collaboration with fellow Māori instrumentalist Hirini Melbourn ...

with Allan Thomas, ''Te Ara Puoro: A Journey into the World of Māori Music''.

Potton & Burton Potton & Burton, formerly Craig Potton Publishing, is a book publishing company based in Nelson, New Zealand, and is one of the largest independent book publishers in New Zealand. History Potton & Burton was first established in 1987 as Craig P ...

Māori Language Award

Books that meet the general criteria of the fiction, non-fiction and poetry awards and are written wholly and originally in te reo Māori are eligible for Te Mūrau o te Tuhi – Māori Language Award. This award is made at the discretion of a specially appointed judge. Prior to 2019, Māori language awards were presented in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013. * 2021 –

Tīmoti Kāretu Sir Tīmoti Samuel Kāretu (born 29 April 1937) is a New Zealand academic of Māori language and performing arts. He served as the inaugural head of the Department of Māori at the University of Waikato, and rose to the rank of professor. He w ...

, ''Mātāmua ko te Kupu!''.

*2019 –

and

Wharehuia Milroy James Te Wharehuia Milroy (24 July 1937 – 7 May 2019) was a New Zealand academic and expert in the Māori language. He was of Ngāi Tūhoe descent. Together with Tīmoti Kāretu and Pou Temara, Milroy was a lecturer at Te Panekiretanga o te ...

, ''He Kupu Tuku Iho: Ko te Reo Māori te Tatau ki te Ao''. Auckland University Press * 2013 – Dame Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira, ''Ngā Waituhi o Rēhua''. Huia Publishers * 2012 – Chris Winitana, ''Tōku Reo, Tōku Ohooho : My Language, My Inspiration''. Huia Publishers * 2009 – Maori Language Commission, ''He Pātaka Kupu: Te Kai a te rangatira''. Raupo Press * 2008 – Edited by Huriana Raven and Piripi Walker, ''Te Tū a Te Toka: He Ieretanga nō ngā Tai e Whā''. Totika Publishers and

Toi Māori Aotearoa Toi Māori Aotearoa (English: Māori Arts New Zealand) is a charitable trust that promotes Māori traditional arts and Māori artists, both in New Zealand and overseas. Much of Toi Māori's funding comes indirectly from the government, through C ...

Discontinued awards

Top awards

Book of the year

There have been a number of "book of the year" awards in the history of the awards. The New Zealand Post Book of the Year was presented between 2010 and 2014, when New Zealand Post was the sponsor of the awards ceremony. The Montana Medal for Fiction or Poetry was presented in 2008 and 2009. The Deutz Medal for Fiction or Poetry was presented between 1998 and 2007. The Book of the Year/Cultural Heritage Award was presented in 1996 and 1997. * 2014 – Jill Trevelyan, '' Peter McLeavey: The life and times of a New Zealand art dealer''. Te Papa Press * 2013 – Kirsty Gunn, ''The Big Music''. Faber and Faber * 2012 – John Dawson and

, ''New Zealand's Native Trees''. Craig Potton Publishing * 2011 – Chris Bourke, '' Blue Smoke: The Lost Dawn of New Zealand Popular Music 1918–1964''. Auckland University Press * 2010 – Judith Binney, ''Encircled Lands: Te Urewera, 1820–1921''. Bridget Williams Books * 2009 –

, ''A Novel About My Wife''. Bloomsbury * 2008 –

, ''Opportunity''. Random House NZ * 2007 – Lloyd Jones, '' Mister Pip''. Penguin * 2006 – Maurice Gee, ''Blindsight''. Penguin * 2005 –

, ''Tu''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2004 – Annamarie Jagose, '' Slow Water''. Victoria University Press * 2003 – Stephanie Johnson, ''The Shag Incident''.

* 2002 – Craig Marriner, '' Stonedogs''. Vintage Books * 2001 – Lloyd Jones, ''The Book of Fame''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2000 – Owen Marshall, ''Harlequin Rex''. Vintage * 1999 – Elizabeth Knox, '' The Vintner's Luck''. Victoria University Press * 1998 – Maurice Gee, ''Live Bodies''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 1997 – Jessie Munro, ''The Story of

Suzanne Aubert Suzanne Aubert (19 June 1835 – 1 October 1926), better known to many by her cleric name Sister Mary Joseph or Mother Aubert, was a Catholic sister who started a home for orphans and the under-privileged in Jerusalem, New Zealand on the Whangan ...

''.

/ Bridget Williams Books * 1996 – Judith Binney, ''Redemption Songs – A Life of Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki''. Auckland University Press/Bridget Williams Books

People's choice award

The People's Choice Award was presented from 2010 to 2014. Before 2010, this award was known as the Readers' Choice Award. There were no people's choice awards in 1996 or 1997. * 2014 –

, ''

''.

* 2013 – Jarrod Gilbert, ''Patched: The History of Gangs in New Zealand''.

* 2012 – Sue Orr, ''From Under the Overcoat''. Vintage, Random House NZ * 2011 – Chris Bourke, ''Blue Smoke: The Lost Dawn of New Zealand Popular Music 1918–1964''. Auckland University Press * 2010 – Al Brown, ''Go Fish: Recipes and stories from the New Zealand Coast''. Random House NZ * 2009 – Kate De Goldi, ''The 10 pm Question''. Longacre Press * 2008 – Mary McCallum, ''The Blue''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2007 – Lloyd Jones, ''Mister Pip''. Penguin * 2006 (joint) – Maurice Gee, ''Blindsight''. Penguin * 2006 (joint) –

, ''The Captive Wife''. Vintage * 2005 –

Julie Le Clerc Julie Le Clerc is a New Zealand food writer, chef, caterer, restaurateur and a presenter on TV food shows. Biography Le Clerc grew up in the Auckland suburb of Westmere. Her mother Loraine made and iced wedding cakes as a cottage industry, and ...

and John Bougen, ''Made in Morocco: A Journey of Exotic Tastes and Places''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2004 – Michael King, ''The Penguin History of New Zealand''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2003 –

, ''Playing God''. Steele Roberts * 2002 – Lynley Hood, ''A City Possessed: The Christchurch Civic Creche Case''. Longacre Press * 2001 – Michael King, ''Wrestling with the Angel: A Life of Janet Frame''. Viking Press * 2000 –

, ''The Art of Grahame Sydney''. Longacre Press * 1999 – Elizabeth Knox, ''The Vintner's Luck''. Victoria University Press * 1998 – Edited by Malcolm McKinnon, ''New Zealand Historical Atlas''. David Bateman

Booksellers' choice award

The Nielsen Booksellers' Choice Award was only presented in 2013 and 2014. * 2014 – Harry Broad & Rob Suisted, ''Molesworth: Stories from New Zealand's largest high country station''. Craig Potton Publishing * 2013 – Shaun Barnett, Rob Brown & Geoff Spearpoint, ''Shelter from the Storm: The story of New Zealand's backcountry huts''. Craig Potton Publishing

Lifetime achievement award

The A W Reed Award for Contribution to New Zealand Literature Award was presented in 2004. From 2000 to 2002 this award was known as the A W Reed Lifetime Achievement Award. * 2004 –

Joy Cowley Cassia Joy Cowley (; born 7 August 1936) is a New Zealand author best known for her children's fiction, including the popular series of books Mrs. Wishy-Washy. Cowley started out writing novels for adults, and her first book, ''Nest in a Fal ...

* 2002 –

Maurice Shadbolt Maurice Francis Richard Shadbolt (4 June 1932 – 10 October 2004) was a New Zealand writerRobinson and Wattie 1998 and occasional playwright. Biography Shadbolt was born in Auckland, and was the eldest of three children. He had a younger bro ...

* 2001 – Dame Fiona Kidman * 2000 –

Non-fiction category awards

History

This award ended in 2009. Before 2001, a single award was given for History and Biography. * 2009 –

Richard Boast Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'stron ...

, ''Buying the Land, Selling the Land''.

* 2008 – Hilary Mitchell & John Mitchell, ''Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka Volume II: Te Ara Hou – The New Society''. Huia Publishers * 2007 – Edited by K.R. Howe, ''Vaka Moana: Voyages of the Ancestors''. David Bateman * 2006 –

Rosemary McLeod Rosemary Margaret McLeod (born December 1949) is a New Zealand writer, journalist, cartoonist and columnist. Career McLeod began her career as a journalist in 1970, working for The Sunday Times in Wellington before moving to Eve magazine, whe ...

, ''Thrift to Fantasy: Home Textile Crafts of the 1930s – 1950s''.

* 2005 – Douglas Lloyd Jenkins, ''At Home: A Century of New Zealand Design''.

* 2004 – Anne Salmond, ''The Trial of the Cannibal Dog''. Allen Lane / Penguin Group (NZ) * 2003 –

Jim McAloon Jim or JIM may refer to: * Jim (given name), a given name * Jim, a diminutive form of the given name James * Jim, a short form of the given name Jimmy * OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism * ''Jim'' (comics), a series by Jim Woodring * ''Jim' ...

, ''No Idle Rich: The Wealthy in Canterbury & Otago 1840 – 1914''. University of Otago Press * 2002 – Lynley Hood, ''A City Possessed: The Christchurch Civic Creche Case''. Longacre Press * 2001 – Edited by Te Miringa Hohaia, Gregory O'Brien & Lara Strongman, ''Parihaka: The Art of Passive Resistance''. City Gallery Wellington, Trustees of Parihaka Pa &

* 2000 – Chris Maclean, ''Kapiti''. The Whitcombe Press * 1998 –

, ''Dictionary of New Zealand English: A Dictionary of New Zealandisms on Historical Principles''.

Oxford University Press Oxford University Press (OUP) is the university press of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world, and its printing history dates back to the 1480s. Having been officially granted the legal right to print books ...

Biography

This award ended in 2009. Before 2001, a single award was given for History and Biography. * 2009 – Jill Trevelyan, ''Rita Angus: An Artist’s Life''. Te Papa Press * 2008 –

Judy Siers Judith Shelby Siers (born 1937) is a New Zealand writer and historian. In 2008 she won a Montana New Zealand Book Award. Biography In 1994 Siers won a by-election and was elected a member of the Wellington City Council for the Onslow Ward, standin ...

, ''The Life and Times of James Walter Chapman-Taylor''. Millwood Heritage Productions Ltd * 2007 – Philip Norman, ''Douglas Lilburn: His Life and Music''.

Canterbury University Press The University of Canterbury ( mi, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha; postnominal abbreviation ''Cantuar.'' or ''Cant.'' for ''Cantuariensis'', the Latin name for Canterbury) is a public research university based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was ...

* 2006 – Graeme Dingle, ''Dingle''.

* 2005 – Martin Edmond, ''Chronicle of the Unsung''.

* 2004 –

Rachel Barrowman Rachel Barrowman (born 1963) is a New Zealand author and historian, with a focus on New Zealand cultural and intellectual history. Career Barrowman's biography of R.A.K. Mason, ''Mason: The Life of R.A.K. Mason'', won the 2004 Montana New Zeal ...

, ''Mason''.

* 2003 –

Philip Temple Robert Philip Temple (born 1939 in Yorkshire, England) is a Dunedin-based New Zealand author of novels, children's stories, and non-fiction. His work is characterised by a strong association with the outdoors and New Zealand ecology. Career ...

, ''A Sort of Conscience: The Wakefields''. Auckland University Press * 2002 – Peter Wells, ''Long Loop Home''. Vintage * 2001 – Michael King, ''Wrestling with the Angel: A Life of Janet Frame''.

* 1999 –

Kevin Ireland Kevin Mark Ireland (né Jowsey; 18 July 1933 – 19 May 2023) was a New Zealand poet, short story writer, novelist and librettist.

, ''Under the Bridge and Over the Moon''.

Environment

The Environment award ended in 2009. From 1998 to 1999, this award was titled the Environment & Heritage Award. From 1996 to 1997, this award was titled the Natural Heritage Award. * 2009 – edited by Ian J. Graham, ''A Continent on the Move: New Zealand Geoscience into the 21st Century.'' Geological Society of New Zealand * 2008 –

, ''Wetlands of New Zealand''. Random House NZ * 2007 – George Gibbs, ''Ghosts of Gondwana''. Craig Potton Publishing * 2006 – Philip Simpson, ''Pōhutukawa & Rātā: New Zealand's Iron-hearted Trees''.

* 2005 –

Anne Rimmer Anne Rimmer (born 1947) is a New Zealand conservationist and writer. In 2005 she won a Montana Book Award. Biography Rimmer has been a guide on the open sanctuary island, Tiritiri Matangi Island, near Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi ...

, ''Tiritiri Matangi: A Model of Conservation''.

Tandem Press Tandem Press is an independent publisher based in Auckland, New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Islan ...

* 2004 – Peter Batson, ''Deep New Zealand''.

* 2003 – Geoff Chapple, ''Te Araroa: The New Zealand Trail''. Random House NZ * 2002 – Bob Harvey, ''Rolling Thunder: The Spirit of Karekare''. Exisle Publishing * 2001 – Philip Simpson, ''Dancing Leaves: The Story of New Zealand's Cabbage Tree''. Canterbury University Press * 2000 – Shaun Barnett & Rob Brown, ''Classic Tramping in New Zealand ''. Craig Potton Publishing * 1999 – Gerard Hutching, ''The Natural World of New Zealand''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 1998 – Peter Johnson, ''Pick of the Bunch: New Zealand Wildflowers''. Longacre Press * 1997 – John Dawson, photography by Rob Lucas, ''New Zealand Coast and Mountain Plants: Their Communities and Lifestyles''. Victoria University Press * 1996 –

Neville Peat Neville Douglas Peat (born 1947) is a New Zealand author and photographer, based at Broad Bay on the Otago Peninsula. He specialises in topics about natural history, notably that of southern New Zealand and New Zealand's subantarctic islands. ...

and Brian Patrick, ''Wild Dunedin: The Natural History of New Zealand’s Wildlife Capital''. Otago University Press

Lifestyle & Contemporary Culture

The Lifestyle & Contemporary Choice award ended in 2009. From 2000 to 2001, this award was the Lifestyle Award. From 1998 to 1999, this award was the Lives & Lifestyle Award. From 1996 to 1997, this award was the Leisure & Lifestyle Award. * 2009 – Alexa Johnston. ''Ladies, A Plate: Traditional Home Baking''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2008 – Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, ''Mau Moko: The World of Maori Tattoo''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2007 – Ann Packer, ''Stitch: Contemporary New Zealand Textile Artists''.

Random House Random House is an American book publisher and the largest general-interest paperback publisher in the world. The company has several independently managed subsidiaries around the world. It is part of Penguin Random House, which is owned by Germ ...

* 2006 – Justin Paton, ''How to Look at a Painting''.

* 2005 – Gareth Shute, ''Hip Hop Music in Aotearoa''.

Reed Publishing Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd (formerly A. H. Reed Ltd and A. H. and A. W. Reed Ltd) was one of the leading publishers in New Zealand. It was founded by Alfred Hamish Reed and his wife Isabel in 1907. Reed's nephew Alexander Wyclif Reed joined the fi ...

* 2004 – John Kent & David Hallett, ''Classic Fly Fishing''. Craig Potton Publishing * 2003 – Michael Cooper, ''Wine Atlas of New Zealand''. Hodder Moa Beckett * 2002 – Lynnsay Rongokea &

John Dalley John Dalley (born 3 March 1935 in Madison, Wisconsin) is an American violinist. He was raised in a musical family. His father was an orchestra conductor, violinist, composer, instrumental teacher, and music educator. His mother, from Bloomington, ...

(photographer), ''The Art of Tivaevae: Traditional Cook Islands Quilting''. Godwit * 2001 – Julie Biuso & Ian Batchelor (photographer), ''Fresh''.

New Holland Publishers New Holland Publishers is an English-based international publisher of non-fiction books, founded in 1955. It is a privately held company, with offices in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. History The publishing firm was established ...

* 2000 – Yvonne Cave & Valda Paddison, ''The Gardener's Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Native Plants''. Godwit Press * 1999 — Heather Nicholson, ''The Loving Stitch: A History of Knitting and Spinning in New Zealand''. Auckland University Press * 1998 –

Geoff Thomas Geoff or Geoffrey Thomas may refer to: * Geoffrey Thomas (academic) (born 1941), president of Kellogg College, Oxford * Geoffrey Thomas (businessman) (born 1959), Australian businessman * Geoff Thomas (footballer, born 1948) (1948–2013), Welsh fo ...

, ''The Complete New Zealand Fisherman''. David Bateman * 1997 – Michael Cooper, photography by John McDermott, ''The Wines and Vineyards of New Zealand''. Hodder Moa Beckett * 1996 – Michael Lee-Richards, ''Cook!''. Reed

Reference and Anthology

The Reference and Anthology award was presented between 2002 and 2009. * 2009 – C.K. Stead, ''Collected Poems 1951–2006''.

* 2008 – Gregory O'Brien, ''A Nest of Singing Birds: 100 Years of the New Zealand School Journal''. Learning Media Ltd. * 2007 – William Cottrell, ''Furniture of the New Zealand Colonial Era: An Illustrated History 1830–1900''.

* 2006 – Edited by Damien Wilkins, ''Great Sporting Moments: The best of Sport magazine 1988 – 2004''.

* 2005 – Edited by Tony Deverson & Graeme Kennedy, ''The New Zealand Oxford Dictionary''.

* 2004 – Edited by Albert Wendt, Reina Whaitiri & Robert Sullivan, ''Whetu Moana''. Auckland University Press * 2003 – Edited by Paul Morris, Harry Ricketts & Mike Grimshaw, ''Spirit in a Strange Land: A Selection of New Zealand Spiritual Verse''.

* 2002 –

Hirini Moko Mead Sir "Sidney" Hirini Moko Haerewa Mead (born 8 January 1927) is a New Zealand anthropologist, historian, artist, teacher, writer and prominent Māori leader. Initially training as a teacher and artist, Mead taught in many schools in the East C ...

Neil Grove Neil Grove (born 18 January 1971) is a South African-English Heavyweight professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2006, Grove has competed for the UFC, Bellator Cage Rage, UCMMA, and the SFL. Background Originally ...

, ''Nga Pepeha a Nga Tipuna: The Sayings of the Ancestors''. Victoria University Press

Fiction runner up and Honour Awards

Fiction runner up

An award for the runner-up(s) in the Fiction category was presented from 2000 to 2009. * 2009 (joint) – Kate De Goldi, ''The 10 pm Question''. Longacre Press * 2009 (joint) – Bernard Beckett, ''Acid Song''. Longacre Press * 2008 – Laurence Fearnley, ''Edwin & Matilda''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2007 (joint) – Damien Wilkins, ''The Fainter''.

* 2007 (joint) – Nigel Cox, ''The Cowboy Dog''. Victoria University Press * 2006 (joint) –

, ''The Captive Wife''.

* 2006 (joint) – Nigel Cox, ''Responsibility''. Victoria University Press * 2005 (joint) –

C K Stead Christian Karlson "Karl" Stead (born 17 October 1932) is a New Zealand writer whose works include novels, poetry, short stories, and literary criticism. He is one of New Zealand's most well-known and internationally celebrated writers. Early l ...

, ''Mansfield''. Vintage Books * 2005 (joint) – Nigel Cox, ''Tarzan Presley''. Victoria University Press * 2004 (joint) – Maurice Gee, ''The Scornful Moon''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2004 (joint) – Peter Wells, ''Iridescence''. Vintage Books * 2003 (joint) –

Fiona Farrell Fiona Farrell (born 1947) is a New Zealand poet, fiction and non-fiction writer and playwright. Early years and education Fiona Farrell was born and raised in Oamaru, in the South Island of New Zealand. She attended Waitaki Girls' High Sc ...

, ''The Hopeful Traveller''. Vintage Books * 2003 (joint) – Owen Marshall, ''When Gravity Snaps''. Vintage Books * 2002 (joint) – Elizabeth Knox, ''Billie's Kiss''. Victoria University Press * 2002 (joint) – Lloyd Jones, ''Here at the End of the World We Learn To Dance''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2001 (joint) – Charlotte Randall, ''The Curative''. Penguin Group (NZ) * 2001 (joint) – Damien Wilkins, ''Nineteen Widows Under Ash''. Victoria University Press * 2000 (joint) – Catherine Chidgey, ''Golden Deeds''. Victoria University Press * 2000 (joint) – C.K. Stead, ''Talking About O'Dwyer''. Penguin Group (NZ)

Honour Award

* 2002 – Te Onehou Phillis, ''Eruera Manuera''. Huia Publishers * 1997 (fiction) –

, ''Dove on the Waters''.

David Ling David Gregory Ling (born January 9, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward. Ling was selected by the Quebec Nordiques in the 7th round (179th overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Playing career Junior Ling played with th ...

* 1997 (poetry) – J. C. Sturm, ''Dedications''. Steele Roberts * 1996 – Pei Te Hurinui Jones, translated by Bruce Biggs, ''Nga Iwi o Tainui: The Traditional History of the Tainui People – Nga Koorero Tuku o Nga Tuupuna''. Auckland University Press

Other awards

BPANZ Review Page or Programme Award

This award ended in 2009. Before 2006, this award was known as the Review Pages/Section of the Year Award. * 2009 – '' New Zealand Listener'' * 2008 – '' New Zealand Listener'' * 2007 – '' New Zealand Listener'' * 2006 – '' Dominion Post'' * 2005 – '' North & South'' * 2004 – '' New Zealand Listener'' * 2003 – '' New Zealand Listener'' * 2002 – '' North & South'' * 2001 – '' The Evening Post'' * 2000 – '' The Evening Post'' * 1999 – ''

Landfall Landfall is the event of a storm moving over land after being over water. More broadly, and in relation to human travel, it refers to 'the first land that is reached or seen at the end of a journey across the sea or through the air, or the fact ...

'' * 1998 – '' The Evening Post''

BPANZ Reviewer of the Year Award

This award ended in 2009. Before 2006, this award was known as the Reviewer of the Year. * 2009 – David Eggleton * 2008 –

* 2007 – David Eggleton * 2006 – Jolisa Gracewood * 2005 –

Tony Simpson Anthony James Simpson (born 15 July 1965) is a former Australian politician who was a Liberal Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 2005 to 2017. He served as a minister in the government of Colin Barnett from Marc ...

* 2004 – Michael King * 2003 – David Eggleton * 2002 – Jane Hurley * 2001 – David Eggleton * 2000 – Michael King * 1999 – Iain Sharp * 1998 – Graeme Lay

References

External links

* {{official website
Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
at

Christchurch City Libraries Christchurch City Libraries is operated by the Christchurch City Council and is a network of 21 libraries and a mobile book bus. Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake the previous Christchurch Central Library building was demolished, and wa ...

, 2016–2021, with covers and links
New Zealand Post Book Awards
at Christchurch City Libraries, 2010–2014, with covers and links
Montana New Zealand Book Awards
at Christchurch City Libraries, 1996–2009, with covers and links
Montana Book Awards
at Christchurch City Libraries, 1994–1995, with covers and links
New Zealand Book Awards
at Christchurch City Libraries, 1976–1995, with covers and links
Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards
at Christchurch City Libraries, 1968–1993, with covers and links New Zealand fiction awards Awards established in 1996 1996 establishments in New Zealand New Zealand poetry awards New Zealand non-fiction literary awards

History and format

Fiction

Fiction award

Best first book award (fiction)

Poetry

Poetry award

Best first book award (poetry)

General non-fiction

General non-fiction award

Best first book award (general non-fiction)

Illustrated non-fiction

Illustrated non-fiction award

Best first book award (illustrated non-fiction)

Māori Language Award

Discontinued awards

Top awards

Book of the year

People's choice award

Booksellers' choice award

Lifetime achievement award

Non-fiction category awards

History

Biography

Environment

Lifestyle & Contemporary Culture

Reference and Anthology

Fiction runner up and Honour Awards

Fiction runner up

Honour Award

Other awards

BPANZ Review Page or Programme Award

BPANZ Reviewer of the Year Award

See also

References

External links