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Call for applications for Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship

Applications are open for the 2024 Penguin Random House Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship.

News
2023 Storylines Notable Books List

The highest quality books in five genres published between August 2022 and November 2023.

News
2023 New Zealand Book Design Awards Winners!

The 2023 PANZ Book Design Awards Winners have been announced!

News
2023 New Zealand Book Design Awards Shortlist

Design awards celebrate the beauty of physical books

News
Hairy Maclary Lookalike Winners!

Check out the real life raggedy rascal's gang!

News
Māori poet and photographer Trinity Thompson-Browne wins 2023 Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship

Trinity Thompson-Browne has been awarded the 2023 Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship thanks to a collaboration with Whitireia Community Polytechnic Limited and Penguin Random House New Zealand (PRH).

News
Win 50 Books for Our 50 Year Celebrations!

Be in to win a year's supply of books!

News
The Storylines Gavin Bishop Award for Illustration is now open for submissions!

The award aims to encourage the publication of new and exciting high-quality picture books from new New Zealand illustrators.

News
Emissions reporting at Penguin Random House Australia and New Zealand

'We can’t solve a problem like climate change without an honest accounting of how much we need to do and what obstacles we need to overcome.' – Bill Gates, How To Avoid a Climate Disaster

News
SPARE, the memoir from Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, to be released on January 11

The Prince's new book will tell his extraordinary life story in his words for the first time.

News
2022 Booker Prize shortlist announced

The shortlist for the 2022 Booker Prize has been announced, with two Penguin Random House novels named this year.

News
Meet our Sustainability Officer

As part of our efforts to become a greener workplace, we've recently appointed our very own Penguin Random House Sustainability Officer. Keep reading to meet Jordan, find out what inspired her to take on this role, and learn about her favourite books.

News
A Q&A about our eco-friendly distribution efforts

We chatted with our partners at United Book Distributors (UBD) to find out what's being done to make our shipping and distribution practices more environmentally-friendly. See what Matt O'Brien, Operations Director at UBD had to say.

News
Pacific educator and author Lisa Fuemana-Foa'i wins 2022 Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship from Penguin Random House NZ and Whitireia

Lisa Fuemana-Foa'i has been awarded the 2022 Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship thanks to a collaboration with Whitireia Community Polytechnic Limited and Penguin Random House New Zealand (PRH).

News
Penguin Random House New Zealand welcomes Pacific Arts Legacy Intern Faith Wilson under new partnership with Creative New Zealand

Pasifika artist, writer and publisher Faith Wilson has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Pacific Arts Legacy Internship.

News
Penguin Random House NZ announces new scholarship in partnership with Whitireia!

In partnership with the Graduate Diploma in Publishing at Whitireia Community Polytechnic Ltd, Penguin Random House New Zealand is delighted to announce a new publishing scholarship for Māori and Pasifika students.

News
A Promised Land, by Barack Obama, to be published in New Zealand on 18 November

The presidential memoirs of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, will be published in two volumes.

News
NEW CHELSEA WINTER BOOK COMING 29 SEPTEMBER 2020

Epic plant-based comfort food for everyone...with gluten-free options for just about everything.

News
Michelle Obama documentary, Becoming, released on 6 May

Netflix have announced a new documentary following Michelle Obama during the publication of her bestselling memoir, Becoming, which will be released on Wednesday 6 May.

News
Penguin Random House New Zealand open licence: online story time and read-aloud videos and live events

Penguin Random House New Zealand believes that all children should have access to books and stories and be encouraged to develop a love of reading.

News
Atwood, Evaristo: joint Booker winners

Penguin Random House authors Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo share the 2019 Booker Prize.

News
Gavin Bishop wins 2019 Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement

Multi-talented illustrator and children’s writer, Gavin Bishop (Ngāti Pukeko, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Mahuta, Tainui) has will be honoured for non-fiction and his outstanding contribution to New Zealand literature. 

News
Announcing the 2019 Booker shortlist

Winners to be announced Monday 14 October.

News
The Chestnut Man to become Netflix Original series

We were thrilled to hear Netflix announce its second Danish original series, The Chestnut Man, at Copenhagen TV Festival this week.

Extracts

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Extract
Beach Read

I HAVE A FATAL flaw. I like to think we all do.

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The Year of the Locust

I once went to kill a man.

Extract
The Twat Files

When I was very young, I was massively influenced by television. And comics.

Extract
No Brainer: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (18)

The most popular books were from this series called Commando Crocodile, and no matter how many copies she bought, Ms. Masie couldn't keep them on the shelves.

Extract
Be Useful

The happiest and most successful people in the world do everything in their power to avoid bad decisions that confuse matters and drag them away from their goals.

Extract
The Night House

‘Y- y-y-you’re crazy,’ Tom said, and I could tell he was scared, seeing as he stammered one more time than he usually does.

Extract
The Secret

Keith Bridgeman was alone in his room when he closed his eyes.

Extract
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods

Look, I didn’t want to be a high school senior.

Extract
The Diary of a CEO

Law 1 - Fill Your Five Buckets In The Right Order

Extract
The Sugar Palace

'Where've you been?'

Extract
Adventures with Emilie

The wind is silent until it encounters objects.

Extract
The Last Devil To Die

Kuldesh Sharma hopes he’s in the right place.

Extract
The Waters

On his first night in the house, Mark lies on a mattress in the empty living room with all the windows open and listens to the neighbours beating their son.

Extract
From the Pilot's Seat

A top-dresser, a jump school owner, a plane crash survivor...

Extract
The Art of Winning

When I look back on my career, I keep returning to an image I have of myself as a five-year-old boy, out in the backyard kicking goals.

Extract
Betrayal

Don shoved the back door open, banging it hard into the wall. Eve knew by the ferocity of his entrance he was certain to pick a fight with her tonight.

Extract
Killing Moon

‘Oslo,’ the man said, raising the glass of whiskey to his lips.

Extract
Fungi of Aotearoa

The world is your oyster mushroom. That’s how one top New Zealand chef described the world of edible fungi to me.

Extract
There's a Cure for This

I wear my parents’ wedding on my arm. It might seem like an odd thing to do — getting this event memorialised in ink on my left forearm — because they have been divorced since I was three years old.

Extract
The Deck

Here you are: a novel. From my fingers to your hand, from my eye to your eye, from the crevices of my crumpled brain to the crevices of yours.

Extract
Laughing at the Dark

Laughter. I must be less than two years old (I remember the nappy), standing in a kitchen cupboard that reaches from the bench right to the ceiling.

Extract
Kind

Rainbow Valley is on the way up Mount Everest, about five hundred metres from the top and patched with bright colours rarely seen in nature.

Extract
The Things We Do To Our Friends

Three girls dance in front of him. One of them has set up an old stereo, and tinny music blares, blocking out the sound of the cicadas that sing relentlessly at this time in the evening.

Extract
Dead Tide

When would it stop? They’d said nothing about lingering pain, but these cramps forced her to hold her breath and count through them when they came; they were like something too big trying to squeeze through a small hole.

Articles

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Article
Real readers review: Water

What do NZ fans really think of John Boyne's latest novel?

Article
Music from My Name Is Barbra

Did you know there's a Spotify playlist with music from My Name is Barbra?

Article
Audiobooks Perfect for Kids

The best audiobooks for kids to get your little ones reading more.

Article
The Penguin Present Picker

Having trouble finding the perfect bookish gift for your secret santa? Our state-of-the-art Present Picker is here to help!

Article
Who are you voting for in New Zealand Bird of the Century?

Now at Penguin Random House we may be biased towards a particular penguin alliance... but that doesn't mean that there aren't some wonderful other birds to vote for.

Article
What we're reading this long weeked!

Are you after a book for this long weekend? Why not try one of these books that our Penguin Random House NZ team loved!

Article
Spring gardening: Inspiration and advice

PRHNZ staffer, Becky, is a passionate gardener and now spring is here she's turning to her bookshelf for inspiration and advice. Here are her three go-to books for gardening in Aotearoa.

Article
Everything you need to know about the Inheritance Cycle

An Inheritance Cycle summary, covering everything from the Ancient Language to the new book.

Article
Spooky stories to read this Halloween!

All young ghouls and boils need for a hauntingly good celebration this year is a comfy reading spot and one of these spooky stories (costumes and sweet treats optional).

Article
Why kids should be reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

Encourage a love of reading, critical-thinking skills and self-expression with The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books

Article
Where to start reading James Patterson

If you haven’t yet ventured into the high-stakes world of James Patterson’s fiction, here are the novels to get you started

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.

Article
How to read a horse's body language

Understand your horse or pony better by learning these common body language cues

Article
How often do you think about the Roman Empire?

If you're spending all your waking time thinking about the Roman Empire (as many of us are), why not read about it too?

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
Teacher notes for Witi Ihimaera's Works

Beloved novelist Witi Ihimaera has been in New Zealand classrooms for years and we have created some new teacher notes to celebrate 50+ years of Witi being a published author.

Article
Te Awa o Kupu and Ngā Kupu Wero

Join the kōrero. Two passionate and vibrant anthologies featuring work from some of our finest Māori writers.

Article
The Penguin Supper Club: How to host a taco party with The Lucky Taco Cookbook

Recreate The Lucky Taco's famously fresh, authentic and delicious dishes with the help of The Lucky Taco Cookbook.

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
5 Amazing Aircraft Featured in From the Pilot's Seat

Take a sneak peek at 5 impressive aircraft featured in From the Pilot's Seat!

Article
Why you should read: The Waters

Our Penguin staffers are raving about Carl Nixon's new gripping family saga set over the course of 40 years in New Zealand. Read on for their reviews!

Article
The books everyone is talking about in 2023

See the books that readers are obsessing over lately.

Article
6 things John Flanagan wants readers to know about the Brotherband books

John Flanagan shares the inside scoop on his bestselling fantasy series, Brotherband.

Article
10 fun facts about B. Dylan Hollis

Learn all about TikTok sensation and cookbook author, B. Dylan Hollis.

Recipes

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Recipe
Chicken, lemon & garlic traybake

A tremendously tasty traybake.

Recipe
Popcorn Tofu Bites

I’m a long-time tofu lover and when it comes to cooking it, I’ve tried it all. Baking, frying, grilling, shredding, slicing, crumbling . . . the list goes on. So, believe me when I say this is one of the best.

Recipe
Red Roasted Pasta

This homemade pasta sauce is so simple, it feels like you’re cheating.

Recipe
Butter chicken wings

Butter chicken and chicken wings, together at last.

Recipe
Texas toast smashburgers

A truly tasty Texan sandwich.

Recipe
Cheese Scones

I simply had to include our cheese scone recipe again, after sharing it in my second book. However, this time I have simplified it — sometimes I find that cheese is all that is necessary. Of course, if you prefer, feel free to add some diced bacon, onions or herbs.

Recipe
Stewed plums, whipped yoghurt, mint & granola

Stewed plums in a tasty and decadent sweet dish.

Recipe
Chicken & ricotta meatballs

Delicious meatballs in a mouth-watering broth.

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
Epic prawns & beans

Harissa & garlicky sourdough croutons

Recipe
Couscous & Chicken Bake

Tzatziki marinade, sweet red peppers & charred onion

Recipe
Winter Greens Gnocchi

Vivid black cabbage & mascarpone Gorgonzola sauce

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
Chicken, lemon and olive traybake

A simple, classic dish.

Recipe
Fancy zucchini rolls

Feel fresh and fancy with these zucchini rolls.

Recipe
Harissa chicken gyros

A stunning lunchtime chicken gyros.

Recipe
French toast bites

Tasty French toast, in bite-sized form.

Recipe
Creamy chicken, chorizo & sundried tomato pasta

The delicious pasta recipe from Nathan Anthony that's gone viral around the world.

Recipe
Garlic mac & cheese

A flavourful fuss-free favourite, perfect for lunches.

Recipe
Beef noodles with peanut sauce

Prepare your ingredients, and let the slow cooker do the rest!

Recipe
Pasta and Meatballs

A tasty dish to make with the kids from Jamie Oliver’s first children’s book ‘Billy and the Giant Adventure’

Recipe
Peanut Butter & Blackberry Freezer Fudge

Feel-good fudge that is rich, nutty, creamy and studded with succulent sour blackberries . . . Ummm yes pa-lease.

Recipe
Hot chocolate spiked with cinnamon

A warming recipe from Jamie Oliver’s first children’s book ‘Billy and the Giant Adventure’.

Q&A
21 Questions with Terry Hayes

The author of I Am Pilgrim shares his thoughts on finding inspiration, the books that shaped his youth, and what to expect from The Year of the Locust, his long-awaited second novel.

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

Q&A
Arthur C. Brooks shares the selfish reason for his new book with Oprah

Find out what inspired ‘Build the Life You Want’ and what both authors hope readers take away from it.

Q&A
A conversation with James Clear

Learn from James Clear about starting over after a serious injury, the margin between success and failure, and why it’s totally okay (encouraged, even!) to spend just five minutes at the gym.

Q&A
Writing Q+A with Witi Ihimaera

As he has been publishing now for 50 years, we emailed some questions about writing to Witi, who answered them on a plane journey.

Q&A
How Emily Henry's own friendships inspired characters in Happy Place

Dive into the mind of romance novel superstar, Emily Henry as she discusses all things Happy Place

Q&A
Q&A with Shelley Read author of Go as a River

Get to know author Shelley Read and delve into the inspiration behind her soaring, heartstopping novel Go as a River!

Q&A
Eloise Head (AKA Fitwaffle) shares her all-time favourite baking ingredients

We caught up with Eloise Head ahead of the release of her cookbook, ‘Fitwaffle’s Baked In One.’ Learn about her favourite ingredients, ultimate comfort food and more.

Q&A
Jamie Oliver – ONE Q&A

Jamie talks us through creating his latest cookbook, One.

Q&A
Author's bizarre Google search while writing new book

Benjamin Stevenson talks to us about his new must-have mystery and his friend's odd act that inspired his book.

Q&A
Fiona McIntosh on writing a 'fish out of water' tale

The much-loved author chats to us about researching The Spy's Wife on the cusp of the pandemic starting, studying 1930s German history and baking cherry cakes.

Q&A
Q&A with Molly Oldfield

Bursting full of children’s curiosity Everything Under the Sun is a glorious celebration of life on earth.

Q&A
How I wrote it: Femi Fadugba on The Upper World

The debut author of the YA novel soon to hit Netflix on discipline, working with Daniel Kaluuya, and the complications of writing about time travel.

Q&A
Fiona McIntosh on DCI Jack Hawksworth

The bestselling author discusses tapping back into Jack's world, twisty-turny stories and her favourite crime dramas.

Q&A
Maggie Shipstead Q&A

The Great Circle author on inspiring travel, research and spending seven years on her latest novel.

Q&A
First Person Singular cover design Q&A

Vintage Creative Director Suzanne Dean and artist Lena Peters on circles, Murakami and monkeys.

Q&A
Krystal Sutherland Q&A

House of Hollow author on ghost doors, googling corpses and advice to aspiring YA authors.

Q&A
Q&A with Richard Fairgray

Author Richard Fairgray talks about what he thinks makes a good scary story, what scares him and more in this Q&A!

Q&A
Q&A with Dame Lynley Dodd

Dame Lynley Dodd on what comes first, the stories or the illustrations, where her ideas come from and more! 

Q&A
Richard Flanagan Q&A

The Booker Prize winning author answers our questions about his strangely beautiful story about hope and love and orange-bellied parrots: The Living Sea of Waking Dreams.

Q&A
Lisa Jewell Q&A

The bestselling author on thrilling reads and the things that scare her.

Q&A
Julia Gillard and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Q&A

The Women and Leadership co-authors answer our questions on gender equality and finding the inspiration to lead.

Q&A
Rachel Joyce Q&A

The international bestselling author on cryptozoology, life in the 1950s and writing the ending early.

Q&A
Falastin Q&A

Falastin authors Tara Wigley and Sami Tamimi lift the lid on Palestinian cooking.

Activities

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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!

Activity
Lulu and the Dance Detectives Mystery at the Hotel Español word search

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

Activity
Granny McFlitter's Easter Activity Pack

Looking for easter activities? Look no further than Granny McFlitter's Eggcellent Easter activity pack! With a word search, colouring sheet, and a maze there's plenty to keep children entertained.

Activity
Get a-maze-d with Granny McFlitter

Can you help Granny McFlitter find her way through the maze?

Activity

Book clubs

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Book clubs
The Sugar Palace book club questions

A heart-stopping romantic adventure to read with your book club.

Book clubs
Build The Life You Want Book Club Guide

Build the Life You Want introduces you to the cutting-edge science that can change your life, in understandable terms and with actionable strategies. Along the way, Arthur and Oprah share hard-earned wisdom from their own lives and careers.

Book clubs
Hamlet is Not OK classroom discussion points

Some great points to discuss with your classroom or book club, from this quirky new take on Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Book clubs
The Waters Book Club Notes

Unravel Carl Nixon's brilliant story of a fractured family told over 40 years with these book club questions

Book clubs
Wifedom questions for your book club

A powerful blazing genre-bending masterpiece to discuss with your book club.

Book clubs
The Deck book club notes

A perfect literary pick for your book club, dive deeper into The Deck with these discussion questions

Book clubs
Laughing at the Dark book club questions

A top pick for book clubs, Laughing at the Dark is a funny, moving memoir about rebellion, identity and laughter

Book clubs
Kind book club notes

Get discussing Stephanie Johnson's funny and fearless New Zealand novel with the help of these book club questions!

Book clubs
Go as a River reading group guide

A soaring coming-of-age novel of female resilience and becoming, Go as a River is the perfect literary pick for your book club

Book clubs
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow book club questions

A New York Times bestseller, Grazia summer reading pick, and word-of-mouth sensation to read with your book club.

Book clubs
How to Get Fired book club notes

A cleverly wry and relatable collection of short stories, perfect for book club discussions!

Book clubs
Amazing Grace Adams Book Club Questions

A fierce, funny and utterly captivating book to read with your book club.

Book clubs
The Queen's Wife book club notes

Delve into Joanne Drayton's modern love story of a memoir with these book club notes!

Book clubs
The Secret History book club questions

A fast-paced modern classic perfect for book clubs.

Book clubs
Atlas of the Heart book club questions

Atlas of the Heart should be your next book club pick. A guide to mapping meaningful connection, this book is compelling, enlightening and ripe with discussion points.

Book clubs
Lessons in Chemistry book club notes

A Sunday Times bestseller and BBC Between the Covers Book Club pick.

Book clubs
Hush Little Baby book club kit

Get your book club talking with these discussion questions on R. H. Herron's book Hush Little Baby.

Book clubs
Return to Harikoa Bay Bookclub Notes

Find discussion questions to get you thinking about Owen Marshall's book Return to Harikoa Bay in this book club guide.

Book clubs
Winter Time book club notes

Laurence Fearnley shares notes and discussion questions on her new book Winter Time in this book club guide.

Book clubs
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone book club notes

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone is a fiendishly clever mystery that will keep your book club guessing and introduces a family of characters brilliant for discussion.

Book clubs
The Last Station book club notes

An unputdownable Australian novel to read with your book club.

Book clubs
The Herd book club notes

A standout book club novel. Unputdownable and thought-provoking.

Book clubs
The Frog Prince book club conversation starters

James Norcliffe shares discussion points and questions for his new book The Frog Prince in this book club guide.

Book clubs
The Spy's Wife book club notes

Much loved author Fiona McIntosh is back with an historical adventure to enjoy with your book club.