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News
See allThe Space Between by Lauren Keenan has won Best Adult Fiction Book at the 2025 NZ Booklovers Awards.
Mum's Busy Work by Jacinda Ardern is set for international release on September 30, 2025.
The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are the country’s premier literary honours for books written by New Zealanders.
See the Penguin Random House NZ books shortlisted for the 2025 NZ Booklovers Awards
The longlists for the 2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards have been announced.
A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir by Jacinda Ardern is set for international release on June 3, 2025.
Three outstanding New Zealand writers recognised with the 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement
He is the first author to have ever won both the Booker Prize and Baillie Gifford Prize.
Compact yet beautifully expansive, Orbital invites us to observe Earth’s splendour, whilst reflecting on the individual and collective value of every human life.
Applications are open for the 2025 Penguin Random House Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship.
The 2024 Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) Book Design Awards celebrated a night of artistic brilliance, with Māori and Pasifika designers dominating the stage and Penguin Random House celebrating two wins.
The shortlist for the 2024 Booker Prize has been announced, with three Penguin Random House titles named this year.
The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are a unique celebration of the contribution New Zealand’s children’s authors and illustrators make to building national identity and cultural heritage.
Over the weekend we attended the Booksellers Conference and Award Ceremony
The most beautifully designed books in Aotearoa have been revealed with the announcement of the 2024 PANZ Book Design Awards finalists.
The NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are a unique celebration of the contribution New Zealand’s children’s authors and illustrators make to building national identity and cultural heritage.
The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are the country’s premier literary honours for books written by New Zealanders.
The NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are a unique celebration of the contribution New Zealand’s children’s authors and illustrators make to building national identity and cultural heritage.
See the Penguin Random House NZ books shortlisted for the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
See the Penguin Random House NZ books shortlisted for the 2024 NZ Booklovers Awards
See the Penguin Random House NZ books longlisted for the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
Penguin Random House Australia and BBC studios are thrilled to announce that the Bluey publishing program will expand in 2024 to include three new illustrated chapter books.
Applications are open for the 2024 Penguin Random House Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship.
The highest quality books in five genres published between August 2022 and November 2023.
Extracts
See allJoan Goodwin gets to the Johnson Space Center well before nine, and Houston is already airless and muggy.
Today was going to be revolutionary, Aria Loveridge thought as she got out of bed and reached for the metal-fibre gloves from her bedside table.
“Just before midnight yesterday Greenpeace boat the Rainbow Warrior was bombed in Auckland harbour.”
‘Let’s buy a chateau’, they said . . . ‘It’ll be an adventure’, they said . . . ‘You’ll meet a prince’, they said . . .
Not long after uploading my first video, I started to receive messages—thousands of them.
We met quite young, both of us still finding our footing in college, but as soon as we were in each other’s gravity, Sara and I felt an undeniable pull that kept bringing us even closer together.
My earworm for today is ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ by the Boomtown Rats.
I have hated my mother for most of my life but it is her face I see as I drown.
New Zealand was greener than Emilia could ever have imagined.
The dining table was set for a feast, but all the carving knives had been hidden.
As Lou widened her eyes with mischievous pleasure and blew him a kiss over the heads of other customers in the gelato bar, Jack smiled at her delight.
When we opened Sherlock Tomes people warned us that we’d made a terrible mistake. People warned us that e-readers were taking over. People warned us that we’d never compete with Amazon. The one thing they didn’t warn us about was the murders.
There is a framed photograph on Lila’s bedside table that she hasn’t yet had the energy, or perhaps the inclination, to get rid of.
Articles
See allWant to know what books the Penguin NZ team have been reading and loving recently? Read on for our recommendations!
Check out some of the hottest YA books in stores now, from epic romantasy to sweet, unexpected romance.
From tales of Ancient Greece to epics set in the Second World War, these are the historical novels at the top of our reading piles this year.
Food shopping on a budget? These tips from Money-Saving Meal Plans With Chelsea will help you spend less on food.
For Mother's Day 2025 we're celebrating the power of books to bring us closer.
For Mother's Day 2025 we're celebrating the power of books to bring us closer.
Let us know below which three of our fantastic Mother’s Day books mum would love, and we’ll send them to you in time for Mother’s Day!
Read on for some of the Film and TV tie-ins we're most excited about at the moment!
A star-crossed lovers romance that spans a millennia, what do readers really think about The Favourites?
Evan Smoak is a man with skills, resources, and a personal mission to help those with nowhere else to turn. He’s also a man with a dangerous past. If you're searching for your next thriller obsession, and you haven't checked out the Orphan X series, read on!
Play the new Penguin Bingo with us. How long will it take you to get bingo?
A reimagining of the tempestuous romance of Wuthering Heights set in the cut-throat world of professional ice skating… what do readers really think about The Favourites?
Got 'read more books' on your resolution list? We've some hacks to help with that.
Looking for some summer audiobook inspiration? Here are our top picks of great reads to listen to on your summer adventures!
The best audiobooks for kids to get your little ones reading more.
Want some insider intel on the best books to gift this Christmas? Read on for what the Penguin Random House New Zealand team are ACTUALLY gifting!
Having trouble finding the perfect bookish gift? Our state-of-the-art Present Picker is here to help!
Never read Murakami and wondering where to begin? Take this fun quiz to figure out which book you should read first.
Check out some of the best YA books coming in 2025.
Always wanted to try a Jilly Cooper book but weren’t sure where to start? Here's why you'll fall in love with her books and a recommended reading order to get you started, from super fan Alex Collingwood
If you’re completely new to Jeff Kinney’s world-famous Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, can we just start by saying that we’re completely and utterly jealous of you? Get ready for one serious reading binge and warn your sides, because they’re about to split.
Recipes
See allI’ve converted countless olive haters to olive lovers with the introduction of my fave Castelvetrano, the meaty, mild Queen of Olives.
Here in Texas, the land of cattle and roughly 130 million acres of ranchland, buttermilk flows thick and heavy-not from their livestock (Texans are in the beef business), but rather into their mixing bowls.
It's hard to fathom it, but the loud and proud thrumming of the Louisiana we walk today is but a fraction of what came before.
Nadiya Hussain's hearty tagine recipe is layered with warming spices and fragrant preserved lemon, and packed with tender chicken, potato and olives.
The beauty of the Reverse Creaming Method is the fine and velvety texture it helps create. The way that it is able to accomplish this plush interior is by minimizing gluten formation.
This sandwich is my childhood all wrapped up in a beefjus-soaked Italian sub roll.
If you want to impress someone, this salad will make them want to date you-it's that good.
If you love your cookies soft and gooey, you'll love Fitwaffle's Easter cookie pots. Studded with Mini Eggs and baked in the air fryer, they couldn't be easier to make.
Chawanmushi is a small Japanese side dish. Its texture is silky smooth and light with a savory umami flavour.
Switch up your breakfast game with these red lentil crepes - they're thin, protein-packed and incredibly versatile.
Fairy bread is a treat traditionally served at birthday parties in Australia, but you can make it for yourself as a snack anytime.
A delightful mixture of sweet and savoury, check out these air-fried tacos from Jamie Oliver.
The perfect easy dessert to serve after a roast, Jamie's air fryer crumble has a base of tender apples, pears and blackberries gently spiced with ginger and orange, and finished with a buttery oat topping.
Live the high life with these delectable air-fried fish and chips from Jamie Oliver.
These chicken tenders are a great alternative to a takeaway.
If you're a fan of porridge for breakfast, you'll love this recipe for chocolate chip baked oats from Fitwaffle. Cooked in the air fryer, this recipe comes together so easily for a delicious start to the day that will keep you fuelled until lunch.
Q&A
See allPlus, learn about the real-world inspiration behind the darkly funny novel.
Plus, find out his #1 tip for aspiring authors.
We caught up with Erika Cramer, author of Becoming Magnetic, to learn more about her upcoming book, what it means to be magnetic and her top tip for readers.
We had a chat with bestselling local authors Gareth and Louise Ward about their new book, The Bookshop Detectives!
Plus, two of the most outrageous requests he’s had from clients.
Brooke Robinson shares her secrets to crafting an intriguing plotline, her love of research and how she winds down after a day of writing about high-stakes scenarios.
Authors Shannah Kennedy and Colleen Callander explain how they use physical activity to improve their leadership, productivity and mindset.
The Dictionary People is a joyful read, but behind the book was a lot of hard work. We caught up with the author to learn about how she approached such a massive project.
Irish author John Boyne discusses the role of the elements in his new books, and the inspiration for his new book Earth.
Plus, find out why he taught himself to memorise an entire deck of cards while researching for the novel.
Plus find out why he’d choose to live in Middle Earth and main difference between him and Hugh Jackman.
Plus, the cosy fictional world she’d most like to live in.
Learn about Alex Michaelides’s new book, the real-life people who inspired his characters and how growing up in Cyprus contributed to the setting.
We caught up with Rachael Johns to learn about her writing routines, favourite rom-coms and new book The Other Bridget.
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.
The bestselling author talks heartbreak, fiction versus non-fiction, and her latest novel Good Material
Find out what inspired ‘Build the Life You Want’ and what both authors hope readers take away from it.
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.
As he has been publishing now for 50 years, we emailed some questions about writing to Witi, who answered them on a plane journey.
Dive into the mind of romance novel superstar, Emily Henry as she discusses all things Happy Place
Get to know author Shelley Read and delve into the inspiration behind her soaring, heartstopping novel Go as a River!
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.
Benjamin Stevenson talks to us about his new must-have mystery and his friend's odd act that inspired his book.
Activities
See allDownload and print this free colouring-in page from Giraffe the Gardener by Kimberly Andrews.
Everything you need to throw the perfect Bluey birthday party!
Print this free activity pack from Xtraordinary People by Kate Griggs.
A free activity pack from the magical world of The 113th Assistant Librarian by Stuart Wilson.
Design your dream garden and be in to WIN it as an illustrated print by Kimberly Andrews
Download this colouring sheet from Kaye Julian, illustrator of the energetic and fun picture book Go, Scooter, Go!
Make your Easter egg hunt eggstra special with this Bingo basket template!
Make the most of rainy day with these Granny McFlitter activity sheets!
Download some free sample Ms Rachel colouring sheets and grab your copy of the book for over 100 pages of fun for littles.
Rainy day? Give these activities from Granny McFlitter Stitches Up a Storm a go!
Colour in these sheets from champion knitter Granny McFlitter's wild weather adventure: Granny McFlitter Stitches Up a Storm!
Download a page from Bluey: Merry Christmas: A Colouring Book to get into the Bluey Christmas spirit!
Ms Rachel shares some tips for encouraging speech and learning through play and music.
Get ready for Christmas with this marvellous Granny McFlitter activity pack!
Discover a fantabulous world where each creature plays its part in perfect harmony, with a honking of horns, a slither of scales and a bumbling buzz in the air.
Book clubs
See allAn epic reimagining of the Apollo mission to read with your book club.
The delightfully entertaining new novel in The Tea Ladies cosy crime series. Perfect for reading with your book club!
Fiona McIntosh's explosive new Jack Hawksworth thriller, perfect to read with your book club.
A sexy, funny, surprising tale of female friendship to read with your book club.
Download a free read-along booklet, complete with reading schedule, questions and more.
Check out some of the most popular book club books of 2025.
A heart-stopping historical adventure to read with your book club.
A new twist on a Greek myth that gives voice, power and agency to the woman at the centre of the story.
The second book in The Tea Ladies series is a fun mystery to read with your book club.
A stunning, thought-provoking debut to read with your book club.
A letter from the author and book club questions for one of Amor Towles' most popular books.
Delve deeper into this story of love, class and belonging, set at the brink of the New Zealand Wars. A great bookclub pick!
A feelgood romantic comedy by Australia's bestselling romance writer.
A thought-provoking book about family and fortune to read with your book club.
A heart-stopping Jack Hawksworth novel to read with your book club.
A heart-stopping romantic adventure to read with your book club.
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.
Some great points to discuss with your classroom or book club, from this quirky new take on Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Unravel Carl Nixon's brilliant story of a fractured family told over 40 years with these book club questions
A powerful blazing genre-bending masterpiece to discuss with your book club.
A perfect literary pick for your book club, dive deeper into The Deck with these discussion questions
A top pick for book clubs, Laughing at the Dark is a funny, moving memoir about rebellion, identity and laughter
Get discussing Stephanie Johnson's funny and fearless New Zealand novel with the help of these book club questions!
A soaring coming-of-age novel of female resilience and becoming, Go as a River is the perfect literary pick for your book club