Lauren Keenan, Christall Lowe, Steph Matuku, Rachael King, Claire Mabey and Kristin Kelly are winners in the 2025 NZ Booklovers Awards announced today.
‘We are delighted to announce six award-winning books that families in New Zealand will enjoy for many reasons,’ says NZ Booklovers Director Karen McMillan. ‘Our winning novel combines the best of historical fiction with the tautness of a thriller. Our lifestyle-winning book is a taonga that honours the legacy of whānau and the joy of sharing kai. The Young Adult winner is an exploration of cultural survival and personal transformation. Our joint Junior Fiction-winning novels are exceptional, with vivid storytelling and rich characters. The winning children’s picture book is written with humour and tenderness and will engage young readers and foster a love of books.
Each category winner/s will receive $500 from NZ Booklovers.
The Space Between by Lauren Keenan wins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book 2025, published by Penguin. Sponsored by Lighthouse PR.
This debut novel by Lauren Keenan (Te Ātiawa ki Taranaki) has the twisty tautness of a thriller and the fine-grained emotional resonance of the best historical fiction.
Kai Feast by Christall Lowewins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2025, published by Bateman Books. Sponsored by Benefitz.
Recipes brimming with flavour and seasoned with history! Kai Feast is a stunning celebration of food, family and connection.
Migration by Steph Matuku wins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Young Adult Book 2025, published by Huia Publishers. Sponsored by Seeds Podcast.
An electrifying YA sci-fi novel that world-builds a futuristic society deeply rooted in Māori traditions. Set in the richly imagined realm of Aowhetū, the novel follows an ‘Intuitive’ trainee navigating the rigorous demands of a military wānanga while grappling with external threats and the weight of her own limitations.
The Grimmelings by Rachael King and The Raven’s Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey are joint winners of the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Junior Fiction Book 2025, both published by Allen & Unwin. Sponsored by The Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore.
Both The Grimmelings by Rachael King and The Raven’s Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey are exceptional books. With vivid storytelling, rich characters, and a great deal of magic, both of these books are sure to delight and enthral young readers with their magical use of words and will no doubt become firm favourites.
The Squeakling by Kristin Kelly, illustrated by Ronja Schipper wins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Picture Book 2025, published by Scholastic NZ. Sponsored by Duckling Publishing.
Written with a combination of humour and tenderness, The Squeakling tells the story of how Max, the basset hound and Spike, the French bulldog, react when a new baby is introduced into their family.
2025 Sponsors:
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book 2025, sponsored by Lighthouse PR
Lighthouse PR is a New Zealand-based specialist book publicity and marketing company. Our clients include publishing houses and a select group of self-published authors.
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2025, sponsored by Benefitz
Benefitz’s ability to print and finish books in-house is a real strength, but so too is their vast experience and knowledge of book publishing.
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Young Adult Book 2025, sponsored by Seeds Podcast.
Seeds podcast has 400 interviews with inspiring people which focus on their life journeys and who and what has shaped them.
NZ Booklovers Awards for Best Junior Fiction Book 2025, sponsored by The Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore
An independent, online bookstore to showcase the incredible array of books for children and teens, created by New Zealand authors and illustrators.
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Picture Book 2025, sponsored by Duckling Publishing
Chrissy Metge, the publisher at Duckling Publishing uses her animation, storytelling, writing, and producing background to lead a small but dedicated team of ducklings who create and write beautifully designed books for children.
Judges 2025
The Best Adult Fiction Book Award is judged by author, reviewer and judge of the Ngaio Marsh Awards Stephanie Jones, reviewer and literary editor Marcus Hobson, and NZ Booklovers Director and author Karen McMillan.
The Best Lifestyle Book Award is judged by journalist and author Andrea Molloy, Whitireia publishing programme graduate, researcher and Verb Wellington volunteer Anne Kerslake Hendricks, and publisher, home renovator and foodie Iain McKenzie.
The Young Adult, Best Junior Fiction Book and Children’s Picture Book Awards are judged by creative writing teacher, assessor, mentor and reviewer Paddy Richardson, writer and former editor Heidi North, early childhood kaiako and journalist Rebekah Lyell, high school teacher, author, musician, and reviewer Chris Reed, and primary school teacher, journalist and former book editor Stacey Anyan.
Read the full article about this year’s NZ Booklovers Awards
About NZ Booklovers
NZbooklovers.co.nz is an online home for people who are passionate about books. Working alongside publishers, NZ Booklovers showcases both New Zealand and international titles. It provides reviews, author interviews, book news and competitions. Director Karen McMillan heads up a talented team of contributors and reviewers, fellow readers and writers who are passionate about books and believe literature inspires and enhances people’s lives. The NZ Booklovers Awards are the brainchild of Karen McMillan to support the local publishing community and New Zealand authors.
Entries for the NZ Booklovers Award 2026 will open in May