Two Extraordinary Opportunities for NZ Booksellers in 2026
SCHOLARSHIP 1: BOOKPEOPLE CONFERENCE, CANBERRA
13-15 June 2026 | Canberra, Australia
This is your chance to elevate your bookselling career on an international stage! The first Booksellers Scholarship offers one exceptional Aotearoa New Zealand bookseller an all-expenses-paid journey to Australia’s capital for the premier BookPeople Conference, plus an immersive week working in an Australian bookstore.
SCHOLARSHIP 2: BOOKSELLERS AOTEAROA NZ CONFERENCE, AUCKLAND
24-25 July 2026 | Auckland, New Zealand
The second scholarship provides another deserving bookseller the opportunity to attend our own flagship Booksellers Aotearoa NZ Conference in Auckland. This is your chance to connect with the local industry, learn from Kiwi retail leaders and strengthen your professional network right here at home.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Milestone | Date |
| Applications open | Thursday, 22 January 2026 |
| Applications close | 5pm, Thursday 19 February (firm deadline) |
| Shortlisted candidates notified | Friday 20 February 2026 |
| Shortlist phone interviews | 23–27 February 2026 |
| Successful candidate announced | Tuesday 3 March 2026 |
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
Scholarship 1: The BookPeople Conference is Australia’s most highly rated annual bookselling event, bringing together industry leaders, innovative retailers and passionate book professionals. In 2026, you’ll join this dynamic gathering in Canberra from 13-15 June, where you’ll:
- Connect with the latest trends in retailing, publishing, technology and marketing
- Sharpen your business acumen through cutting-edge workshops and presentations
- Network with Australian and international bookselling professionals
- Gain insider perspectives that will transform your approach to the book trade
Plus, you’ll spend one week embedded in an Australian bookstore (before or after the conference), gaining hands-on international experience and fresh insights into retail best practices across the Tasman.
Scholarship 2: Booksellers Aotearoa NZ Conference, Auckland
The Booksellers Aotearoa NZ Conference is our premier domestic gathering, bringing together the best and brightest from across Aotearoa’s bookselling community. On 24 July 2026 in Auckland, you’ll:
- Engage with nationally relevant retail trends and challenges
- Learn from successful NZ bookshop owners and managers
- Build lasting connections within the local bookselling community
- Discover innovative approaches tailored to the New Zealand market
WHO CAN APPLY
This scholarship is designed for committed, career-focused booksellers ready to take the next step in their professional journey. Conferences are excellent ways to invest in your staff and your business, providing unique professional development opportunities. The applicant must :
✓ Work for a bookstore that is a paid-up member of Booksellers Aotearoa NZ
✓ Have at least two years’ bookselling experience
✓ Commit to preparing a detailed report within one week of returning, for circulation through The Read
✓ Attend the Booksellers Aotearoa NZ conference in July 2025 to share their experience with members
✓ Agree to continue with your current employer for at least 12 months post-scholarship (unless your employer waives this requirement)
Note: Applicants can apply for both scholarships but will only be awarded one. Please indicate your preference in your application.
WHAT’S COVERED
The scholarships provides:
- Return flights to the conference destination
- Accommodation throughout your stay
- Standard travel insurance
- Daily per diem of NZD $65
- Full conference registration
You’ll cover:
- Personal incidentals
- Domestic Australian transport (shuttles, taxis, buses) during your bookstore placement
SELECTION PROCESS
First, complete the nomination form here.
The Booksellers Board will select the scholar who demonstrates the greatest potential to benefit from this transformative opportunity. We’re looking for someone who will absorb and share these international insights, and who shows clear promise for future leadership—whether in senior management or bookshop ownership.
This is more than professional development; it’s an investment in the future of bookselling in Aotearoa.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Renee Rowland, Booksellers Aotearoa NZ Association Manager
📞 027 742 3110
📧 renee@booksellers.co.nz
The deadline of 5pm, Thursday 19 February is firm—no exceptions.
Don’t miss this career-defining opportunity.