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Poems about motherhood, finding yourself and overwhelming love

Jessica Urlichs has just released this collection of selected poems chronicling motherhood.

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The Space Between

As English settlers wage war upon local iwi in colonial Taranaki, two women confront their pasts to survive the present. A gripping historical novel set amid the New Zealand Wars in 1860.

Read an extract

The Night She Fell

A chilling new novel of psychological suspense from one of New Zealand's most multi-talented writers.

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Better than Chocolate

All the best Easter-themed stories for toddlers and pre-schoolers in 2024, featuring some of your favourite characters

Celebratewith Penguin Kids!

Dinner, Done Better

Simple, healthy and always delicious! My Food Bag and Nadia Lim share 80 tasty and convenient recipes.

Get cooking

BBQ Economics

Should I fix or float? Is now a good time to buy — or sell? What do self-made billionaires know that you and I don’t? Why does cheese cost so much?

Learn how money works

Chugga Tugga Tugboat

Spend the day at the port with a very busy tugboat in this colourful picture book, perfect for preschoolers fascinated with boats and ships.

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Bird Child and Other Stories is out now!

Mythology and contemporary Māori life are woven together seamlessly in this spectacular collection by Aotearoa’s foremost short story writer.

Get a copy

Lone Wolf

One of the world's best-loved heroes Evan Smoak returns in an all-new adventure

Learn more

Wilson Sisters Adventures 3: Allegiance, the Wild Kaimanawa

Nina's and Lily’s wild horse adventures take off at a gallop when they get the opportunity of a lifetime to help Kelly Wilson save five wild stallions.

Out now

Features

Article
Staff recommends: Summer Reads

It's been a fantastic year in books for Penguin HQ! Here are some of our favourite reads from 2023 which we think would be perfect for kicking back with this summer.

Q&A
Dolly Alderton on heartbreak, finding inspiration, and her new novel Good Material

The bestselling author talks heartbreak, fiction versus non-fiction, and her latest novel Good Material

Article
The New Zealand Popular Penguin Line-up

To celebrate 50 years of publishing in Aotearoa, we are excited to re-issue eleven New Zealand classics in the Popular Penguin format. Have you read them all? 

Article
An ultimate guide to Zadie Smith

Learn about Zadie Smith's incredible books. You're sure to find a new favourite on this list!

Article
The book to read based on your favourite Taylor Swift era

We’ve compiled a book guide to what should be on the top of your TBR pile, depending on your favourite Swift Era.

Article
How to write a short story

Penning short stories is a great way to improve your writing. The form demands your idea be delivered with clarity and be structured tightly. We asked our authors for their best tips on writing short fiction to help you with your next story.

Brand new recipes

Recipe
Raunchy Cauli Tacos

This was originally called Crunchy Cauli. But one day, after Otis had written up the blackboard menu, a customer must have leaned up against it and smudged the ‘CR’ — so now it looked like ‘RA’. Nek minnit, a customer asked us what Raunchy Cauli was. And the name stuck.

Recipe
Raspberry & Rosewater Cupcakes

Oh so pretty and fragrant — almost too good to eat! I find that just a hint of rose flavour is enough, so when making the icing start with a small amount and add more if desired.

Recipe
Spinach & Ricotta Gnudi with Lemon, Sage & Pine Nut Brown Butter Sauce

A nod to the Italian keto mummas for this comforting dish! The soft, pillowy gnocchi-like dumplings are made with ricotta instead of potato, which makes them lighter and less chewy than their cousins. The gnudi are then baked instead of boiled and drenched in a wonderfully buttery finger-licking sauce.

Recipe
Epic prawns & beans

Harissa & garlicky sourdough croutons

Recipe
Garlic mac & cheese

A flavourful fuss-free favourite, perfect for lunches.

Activities

Activity
Colour in Ring Ting Tūī!

Colour in these sheets from the melodious counting picture book bursting with troublesome tūī!

Activity
Bluey Easter activity pack

Celebrate Easter with this free printable download.

Activity
Activity
Emma Memma colouring-in activity

Colour in with Emma Memma!

Activity
Bluey Christmas Activity

Get in to the Christmas spirit with Bluey

Activity
Diary of a Wimpy Kid No Brainer QUIZ

Test your knowledge in this fun No Brainer quiz put together by Sylvie from Waterview Primary!

Activity
Blue, Blue Christmas colouring sheet

Get into the holiday spirit with this Blue, Blue Christmas colouring in activity!

Activity
Keep entertained this long weekend!

Activities to keep the children engaged this weekend (regardless of the weather!)

Activity
Make your own Diary of a Wimpy Kid costume

Zoo-wee-mama! Dress up in your best DIY Wimpy Kid outfit with these fun printable Greg and Rowley masks.

Activity
Critters of Aotearoa Colouring in Sheet

Meet some of our cute and curious critters with this colouring in sheet!

Activity
The Māori Alphabet with Stacey Morrison

A simple pronunciation guide to the Māori alphabet

Activity
Lulu and the Dance Detectives The Pool Party Poisoning word search

Magnifying glasses at the ready! Channel your inner detective to complete this word search

Activity
Bluey and Bingo's guide to making Dad laugh

Bluey and Bingo share their guide for making Dad laugh this Father's Day.

Activity
DIY Ranger's Apprentice cloak

How to make your own Ranger's Apprentice Cloak for book week and beyond!

Activity
Activity
There Was an Odd Farmer Who Swallowed a Fly Word Search

A fun word search to see what the odd farmer might swallow in this favourite nursery rhyme with a pitch-perfect Kiwi twist!

Activity
Throw a Hairy Maclary Party!

Download everything you need to throw your own frolicking Hairy Maclary birthday party!

Activity
QUIZ: Which classic picture book do you belong in?

Take this fun quiz to find out which classic picture book you belong in.

Activity
Get creative with Para the pūkeko and Heahea the tuatara!

Get creative with Para the pūkeko and Heahea the tuatara with these colouring in sheets from Book Ruffle's graphic novel Para Pūkeko!

Activity
Bluey Pencil Toppers Activity

Follow along with Bluey to make your own pencil toppers

Activity
Bluey Mother's Day Queen's Crown

Follow along with Bluey and make mum a queen's crown for Mother's Day!

Activity
Cooking with Kids

Want to get the kids involved in the kitchen?

Activity
A look inside 'Bluey: How to Draw'

Get a sneak peek inside Bluey’s fun-filled drawing book.

Activity
Abigail and the Making of the Moon activity sheets!

Curious about the making of the Moon? Download these activity sheets for school or home!

Audiobooks from New Zealand

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The Art of Winning

A unique and inspiring deep dive into leadership, strength and resilience from one of sport's true masters: All Black legend Dan Carter.

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Bite Back

A compassionate guide to navigating eating disorders, for those experiencing them and their loved ones, from someone who has been there.

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Pounamu Pounamu - Te reo Māori edition

Witi Ihimaera’s first published book — Pounamu Pounamu — translated into te reo Māori. Published in collaboration with Kotahi Rau Pukapuka.

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The Denniston Rose

A number one bestseller, this favourite New Zealand novel captures a real 19th century community.

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The Astromancer

A lively story with stunning illustrations that reveals the tradition of Matariki.

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The Whale Rider

A classic novel that became a classic film.

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A History of New Zealand in 100 Objects

New Zealand history through a new lens – 100 objects offer 100 entry points into the powerful, captivating stories of our shared past.

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Poor People With Money

A darkly comic, gritty, punch-in-the-guts new novel that captures life on the poverty line, from the author of 1986, Iceland and I Thought We’d Be Famous.

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Wawata - Moon Dreaming

Dr Hinemoa Elder, author of Aroha, New Zealand's top-selling non-fiction title of 2021, shows us how to reclaim intimacy with others, with ourselves, and with our planet using the energies of Hina, the Māori moon.

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How to Loiter In a Turf War

A genre-bending work of autobiographical fiction from one of Aotearoa’s fiercest and most versatile artists.

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Gabriel's Bay

Warm, witty and wicked, this is the perfect escapist read!

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Grand

The astonishing debut memoir about mothers and daughters, drinking, birth and loss, running away and homecoming from prize-winning writer and broadcaster Noelle McCarthy.

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The Penguin History of New Zealand

The definitive and bestselling history of Aotearoa New Zealand by one of our leading historians, continuously in print for 20 years.

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Letters to You

Beautiful gift package book of letters to provide support, information, encouragement and tips on practical help for anyone suffering low moments.

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Cousins

One of Patricia Grace's most popular novels.

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A Māori Phrase a Day

A modern, user-friendly phrasebook for all New Zealanders.

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Your Money, Your Future

A real-life handbook to finding financial freedom on any income, from the creator of New Zealand’s leading finance podcast Cooking the Books and author of Tales from a Financial Hot Mess.

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This Changes Everything

The must-have guide to perimenopause and menopause for every woman: What's happening, what you can do, and what really works.

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Shed Couture

An entertaining celebration of sustainable fashion, buying well and finding your style in the twenty-first century.

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She Is Not Your Rehab

Cycles repeat until one person has the courage to say, ‘This stops with me.’

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Maori Made Easy

Fun, user-friendly and relevant to modern readers, Scotty Morrison's Maori Made Easy is the one-stop resource for anyone wanting to learn the basics of the Maori language.

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