2026 Book Industry Awards Finalists announced for Bookshop of the Year, Publisher of the Year, the Booksellers Choice Award and Audiobook of the Year.
Every book that finds its way into a reader’s hands is the result of countless hours of work by people who love stories. A bookseller who pressed it into a stranger’s hands. A publisher who took a chance on an unknown voice. A sales rep who made sure it reached the shelves. On 25 July, Aotearoa’s book industry gathers in Tāmaki Makaurau to celebrate them all. The 2026 Book Industry Awards honour the booksellers, publishers, marketers and trailblazers whose dedication, creativity and sheer love of books keeps Aotearoa reading — shining a light on the people who make sure stories connect.
Nine awards will be presented across the evening, spanning the full breadth of the industry. From beloved independent bookshops and leading publishers, to standout individuals in sales, marketing and trailblazing roles, to the lifetime achievements that have shaped Aotearoa’s book world — the 2026 ceremony promises to be an unforgettable night. Shortlists for four awards are announced today; winners for all awards will be revealed on the night.
This year the awards also celebrate the growing world of audiobooks, with the Libro.fm NZ Audiobook of the Year shortlist featuring six outstanding New Zealand titles — from Jacinda Ardern’s memoir of leadership and courage to Mike McRoberts’ deeply personal journey back to te reo Māori. Whether on the page or in your ears, these are the stories that have moved, inspired and stayed with Aotearoa this year.
Congratulations to all our finalists!
The Aotearoa NZ Book Industry Awards ceremony will be held at Rydges Auckland, from 6.00pm to 9.30pm on Friday 25 July 2026. Tickets are available HERE
THE FINALISTS
NielsenIQ BookData NZ Bookshop of the Year — 2026 Finalists
From Petone to Ponsonby: four beloved independent bookshops vie for NZ’s top bookselling honour
This award recognises the independent bookshops at the heart of their communities across Aotearoa. This year’s four finalists represent some of the most beloved bookshops in the country.
- Time Out Bookstore (Mt Eden, Auckland)
- Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop (Ponsonby, Auckland)
- The Women’s Bookshop (Ponsonby, Auckland)
- Schrödinger’s Books (Petone, Wellington)
Sponsored by NielsenIQ BookData NZ
NielsenIQ BookData provides a range of services to the book industry internationally, aiding the discovery and purchase, distribution and sales measurement of books. The company employs more than 100 staff and has offices in 17 countries, including New Zealand and Australia. NielsenIQ BookData is wholly owned by NIQ.
Publisher of the Year — 2026 Finalists
The Publisher of the Year award recognises outstanding contribution to New Zealand publishing. This year’s finalists represent the publishers whose creativity, commitment and collaboration bring Aotearoa’s most important stories to readers.
- Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand
- Auckland University Press
- HarperCollins Aotearoa New Zealand
- Penguin Random House New Zealand
Booksellers Choice Award — 2026 Finalists
The Booksellers Choice is where the real champions of books get their say. Voted by independent booksellers across Aotearoa, this award celebrates the New Zealand books they love to recommend, hand-sell, and watch readers fall in love with. These are the stories that spark conversations at the counter, fly off the shelves, and stay with us long after the last page.
Adult’s Choice
- 1985: A Novel by Dominic Hoey (Penguin Random House New Zealand)
- The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press)
- The Bookshop Detectives 2: Tea and Cake and Death by Gareth and Louise Ward (Penguin Random House New Zealand)
- Lessons on Living by Nigel Latta (HarperCollins Publishers Aotearoa New Zealand)
- Mr Ward’s Map by Elizabeth Cox (Massey University Press)
- Three Wee Bookshops at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw (Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand)
Children’s Choice
- Anahera: The Mighty Kiwi Mama by Ruth Paul (Penguin Random House New Zealand)
- Hooked: Learning to Fish by Al Brown & Hope McConnell (Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand)
- Mum’s Busy Work by Jacinda Ardern & Ruby Jones (Penguin Random House New Zealand)
- Pūkeko Who-keko? by Toby Morris (Penguin Random House New Zealand)
- Taniwha by Gavin Bishop (Penguin Random House New Zealand)
- The Case of the Missing Stuff: Violet and the Velvets by Rachael King & Phoebe Morris (Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand)
Libro.fm NZ Audiobook of the Year – 2026 Shortlist
In partnership with Libro.fm, this award celebrates the best in New Zealand audiobook publishing — evaluating narration, production and content. Six outstanding titles have been selected as finalists from the 2026 longlist of fifteen.
- A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern
- Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer
- Northbound by Naomi Arnold
- No Words for This by Ali Mau
- Speaking My Language | Te Kōrero i Tōku Reo by Mike McRoberts
- The Lost Saint by Rachael Craw
Sponsored by Libro.fm
We are incredibly grateful for the sponsorship of Libro.fm, the groundbreaking Certified B Corp™ that makes it possible for readers to purchase audiobooks through their local bookshop, ensuring independent booksellers receive a portion of every sale.