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Best Books of the Year for Young NZ Readers

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.

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
PANZ Book Design Awards 2025 Shortlist

The most beautifully designed books in Aotearoa have been revealed with the announcement of the 2025 PANZ Book Design Awards finalists.

News
2025 Finalists Announced for the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults!

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.

News
NZ Booklovers Awards 2025 - Winners Announced

​The Space Between by Lauren Keenan has won Best Adult Fiction Book at the 2025 NZ Booklovers Awards.

News
Jacinda Ardern to publish debut picture book with Penguin Random House NZ

Mum's Busy Work by Jacinda Ardern is set for international release on September 30, 2025.

News
2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards Shortlist

The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are the country’s premier literary honours for books written by New Zealanders.

News
NZ Booklovers Awards 2025 Shortlist

See the Penguin Random House NZ books shortlisted for the 2025 NZ Booklovers Awards

News
Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2025 Longlist

The longlists for the 2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards have been announced.

News
Penguin Random House New Zealand to publish Jacinda Ardern's Memoir

A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir by Jacinda Ardern is set for international release on June 3, 2025.

News
Dame Lynley Dodd is recognised with the 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement

Three outstanding New Zealand writers recognised with the 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement

News
Richard Flanagan's Question 7 wins the 2024 Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction

He is the first author to have ever won both the Booker Prize and Baillie Gifford Prize.

News
Orbital by Samantha Harvey wins the Booker Prize 2024

Compact yet beautifully expansive, Orbital invites us to observe Earth’s splendour, whilst reflecting on the individual and collective value of every human life.

News
Call for applications for Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship

Applications are open for the 2025 Penguin Random House Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship.

News
PANZ Book Design Awards 2024 Winners

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.

News
Booker Prize shortlist 2024

The shortlist for the 2024 Booker Prize has been announced, with three Penguin Random House titles named this year.

News
Best Books of the Year for Young NZ Readers

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.

News
Booksellers Industry Award Winners

Over the weekend we attended the Booksellers Conference and Award Ceremony

News
PANZ Book Design Awards 2024 Shortlist

The most beautifully designed books in Aotearoa have been revealed with the announcement of the 2024 PANZ Book Design Awards finalists.

News
2024 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 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.

News
There's a Cure for This Ockham Win

The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are the country’s premier literary honours for books written by New Zealanders.

News
2024 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults Winners!

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.

News
2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards Shortlist

See the Penguin Random House NZ books shortlisted for the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards

News
2024 NZ Booklovers Awards Shortlist

See the Penguin Random House NZ books shortlisted for the 2024 NZ Booklovers Awards

Extracts

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Extract
Not Quite Dead Yet

Dead gray skin, rotted away to show off the stringy sinews of muscle below. Sunken, rubbery sockets around sparkling hazel eyes. Those were actually hers, though; they moved as she studied herself.

Extract
One Night in Paris

It happened to people, this longing, emerging from an unknown void, grabbing the soul with a firm hand, the urge to simply let go and sink to the depths of the ocean.

Extract
Silvercloak

The Killorans’ front door changed color depending upon who knocked.

Extract
The Girl with the Suitcase

Elizabeth Manning had long since finished her pot of tea in the Lyons Corner House, but she was reluctant to go back to her hotel because it was good, free entertainment watching people coming in.

Extract
The Last Tiger

The colonial rule of Japanese on Korean people was ruthless and devastating.

Extract
Maori Millionaire

Your mindset is foundational in building wealth. With an aligned mindset, we can then focus on the strategy.

Extract
The Good Losers

One of the first things I saw on induction day at Levin-Bell Rowing Club was a bare bum.

Extract
The First Gentleman

Cole Wright is sitting in the rear seat of a black up-armored Chevy Suburban, one of three in a convoy speeding its way down Route 125 in the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire.

Extract
The Soldier's Daughter

‘When are you going to let me kiss you?’

Extract
A Different Kind of Power

IT WAS A STANDARD BATHROOM. 

Extract
Atmosphere

Joan Goodwin gets to the Johnson Space Center well before nine, and Houston is already airless and muggy.

Extract
It Should Have Been You

I have to kill my sister.

Extract
A Beautiful Evil

The king of the Gods demanded a beautiful evil - and so I was born.

Extract
Dreamslinger

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.

Extract
1985

“Just before midnight yesterday Greenpeace boat the Rainbow Warrior was bombed in Auckland harbour.”

Extract
Rytual

Hers was the second dead body I’d ever seen, not counting my mother’s.

Extract
Wandering Wild

I’ve never feared dying.

Extract
The Girl and the Ghost

‘Let’s buy a chateau’, they said . . . ‘It’ll be an adventure’, they said . . . ‘You’ll meet a prince’, they said . . .

Extract
The Next Conversation

Not long after uploading my first video, I started to receive messages—thousands of them.

Extract
How To Love Better

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.

Extract
The Tell

I ran. I ran in the mornings and in the afternoons, and I ran at night.

Extract
The Bookshop Detectives 2: Tea and Cake and Death

My earworm for today is ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ by the Boomtown Rats.

Extract
Wild Dark Shore

I have hated my mother for most of my life but it is her face I see as I drown.

Articles

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Article
Romantasy Recommendations

Wanting to get into reading romantasy but not sure where to start? Read on for our top picks of the genre!

Article
QUIZ: Which Hawthorne brother is your soulmate?

Take this quiz to find out which Hawthorne brother from The Inheritance Games series would be your perfect match.

Article
The Lottie Brooks books, in order

Don’t know which order to read the Lottie Brooks books? Find out which to read first, and learn a little bit about each book.

Article
Your guide to pre-ordering Alchemised

Learn how to pre-order Alchemised by SenLin Yu and join the thousands of readers who will start reading it on 23 September 2025.

Article
Penguin Picks for July: Books we've been loving

Want to know what books the Penguin NZ team have been reading and loving recently? Read on for our recommendations!

Article
20 books like The Let Them Theory

Finished The Let Them Theory and wondering what to read next? Check out this list of 20 suggested picks that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered.

Article
Staff recommendations: Books we've been loving

Want to know what books the Penguin NZ team have been reading and loving recently? Read on for our recommendations!

Article
5 of the hottest YA books right now (2025)

Check out some of the hottest YA books in stores now, from epic romantasy to sweet, unexpected romance.

Article
Best historical fiction books to read in 2025

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.

Article
How to save money on groceries: 6 innovative budget tips

Food shopping on a budget? These tips from Money-Saving Meal Plans With Chelsea will help you spend less on food.

Article
Mother's Day Memories: Penguin Authors

For Mother's Day 2025 we're celebrating the power of books to bring us closer.

Article
Mother's Day Memories: Penguin Staff

For Mother's Day 2025 we're celebrating the power of books to bring us closer.

Article
Win mum her favourite books this Mother’s Day!

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!

Article
Our Favourite Film & TV Tie-Ins for 2025

Read on for some of the Film and TV tie-ins we're most excited about at the moment!

Article
Real Readers Review: Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

A star-crossed lovers romance that spans a millennia, what do readers really think about The Favourites?

Article
Pick a Patterson

Find your next thrill with these new James Patterson books!

Article
A series guide to Orphan X

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!

Article
DK Catalogue 2025

Knowledge is adventure.

Article
Penguin's 2025 Bingo

Play the new Penguin Bingo with us. How long will it take you to get bingo?

Article
Real Readers Review: The Favourites by Layne Fargo

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?

Article
How to read more this year

Got 'read more books' on your resolution list? We've some hacks to help with that.

Article
Great audiobooks for your summer reading

Looking for some summer audiobook inspiration? Here are our top picks of great reads to listen to on your summer adventures!

Article
Audiobooks Perfect for Kids

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

Article
What we're gifting this Christmas

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!

Recipes

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Recipe
Spicy Garlic Butter Udon with Smashed Cucumber

There’s a love affair to be explored with spice and dairy, and this is the showcase for it!

Recipe
Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

When I posted my Crispy Smashed Potato Salad recipe in October 2023, it went viral, and everyone and their grandmas started making it.

Recipe
Roasted Apricots, Cardamom Cream and Pistachio Brittle

Make the most of the short apricot season with this quick summery dessert. The apricots are roasted with honey and orange juice and served with a smooth cardamom cream and a crunchy pistachio brittle. It's the perfect laid-back dessert to serve at the end of dinner party.

Recipe
Overnight Protein Porridge with Cinnamon, Turmeric and Cacao

Packed with 36g of protein, Dr Rupy's overnight protein porridge is brimming with nuts, seeds, spices and fruit. The perfect balanced start to the day.

Recipe
Fridge-raid Fattoush

This version of Fattoush is close to the classic salad we all know and love, but differs slightly from the one my mother used to make.

Recipe
Epic Tarragon Roast Chicken

With juicy meat, crispy golden skin and a ton of moreish tarragon and mustard cream sauce, this appropriately named 'epic' chicken will impress at your next Sunday roast.

Recipe
Tahini and Gochujang Noodle Broth with Turkey

This rich and creamy tahini noodle broth with turkey from Dr Rupy is packed with powerhouse flavours and over 40 grams of protein.

Recipe
Aubergine & Fava Beans with Eggs

Bitinjan w Ful ma’ Beyd.

Recipe
Recipe
Hoisin Salmon Sesame Cucumber Salad

Smashing the cucumbers gives them maximum surface area to absorb the delicious dressing in this salad. Topped with falling‑apart baked salmon, this dish is light, quick and tasty.

Recipe
Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

Welcome summer into your kitchen with these moreish tacos. The mango salsa is the perfect balance of sweet, zesty and flavoursome (try not to eat it all before it gets to the table!)

Recipe
Smoky chickpeas with coriander tahini

Hummus Hab bil Tahinia w al Kuzbara

Recipe
Lobster Avocado Salad

This recipe is a celebration of summer.

Recipe
Aubergine Rolls with Walnut Filling

Georgia's rich culinary tradition is often overlooked.

Recipe
Crushed Olive Spread

I’ve converted countless olive haters to olive lovers with the introduction of my fave Castelvetrano, the meaty, mild Queen of Olives.

Recipe
Grated Tomato Linguine

A delicious pasta sauce made with the freshest in-season tomatoes.

Recipe
Buttermilk Pie

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.

Recipe
Beignets

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.

Recipe
Tagine de Poulet: Chicken Tagine served with Beid Hamine and Rice

Nadiya Hussain's hearty tagine recipe is layered with warming spices and fragrant preserved lemon, and packed with tender chicken, potato and olives.

Recipe
Cinnamon Coffee Cake

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.

Recipe
Chicago-Style Braised Italian Beef Sandwiches

This sandwich is my childhood all wrapped up in a beefjus-soaked Italian sub roll.

Recipe
Pizza Night Salad

Everyone loves a good pizza night.

Recipe
Date-Me Salad

If you want to impress someone, this salad will make them want to date you-it's that good.

Recipe
Spring Roll Salad

Meet the spring roll salad: a deconstructed spring roll in a bowl.

Q&A
Siblings Julia and Brad Riew on rewriting their grandparents’ story as a fantasy novel

Including what they hope the book teaches young readers about getting through difficult times, and how we can look to ancestors for inspiration.

Q&A
How studying at Oxford three times inspired Joanna Miller to write The Eights

The debut author of The Eights shares writing advice, insights into the publishing process and which character she enjoyed writing most.

Q&A
Chloe Elisabeth Wilson shares the works that influenced her debut novel, Rytual

Plus, learn about the real-world inspiration behind the darkly funny novel.

Q&A
Erika Cramer shares how you can become more magnetic in 2025

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.

Q&A
Meet The Real Life Bookshop Detectives

We had a chat with bestselling local authors Gareth and Louise Ward about their new book, The Bookshop Detectives!

Q&A
Bill Edgar shares how his life has changed since his first book

Plus, two of the most outrageous requests he’s had from clients.

Q&A
Brooke Robinson shares the inspiration behind The Negotiator

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.

Q&A
How physical activity can improve your work performance

Authors Shannah Kennedy and Colleen Callander explain how they use physical activity to improve their leadership, productivity and mindset.

Q&A
Sarah Ogilvie on the research, cataloguing and technology behind The Dictionary People

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.

Q&A
John Boyne on the role of the elements in his books

Irish author John Boyne discusses the role of the elements in his new books, and the inspiration for his new book Earth.

Q&A
Ferdia Lennon shares the Plutarch passage that inspired Glorious Exploits

Plus, find out why he taught himself to memorise an entire deck of cards while researching for the novel.

Q&A
Gareth Brown shares how a yearning to travel inspired The Book of Doors

Plus find out why he’d choose to live in Middle Earth and main difference between him and Hugh Jackman.

Q&A
Lottie Hazell shares how she came up with the idea for Piglet

Plus, the cosy fictional world she’d most like to live in.

Q&A
Alex Michaelides shares why his upcoming novel was his favourite to write

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.

Q&A
Rachael Johns shares her trick for getting words onto the page

We caught up with Rachael Johns to learn about her writing routines, favourite rom-coms and new book The Other Bridget.

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.

Activities

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Activity
Bluey Father's Day Activity Sheet

To celebrate Father's Day this year, help Bluey's friends find their dads in this super fun dad maze! PLUS read ALL about your favourite dad in the brand-new Bluey: Dad's Awesome Treasury and our collection of other Bluey Father's Day reads, including Bluey: Pull my Finger and Other Dad Jokes! This content was originally published on Bluey.tv

Activity
Detective Beans: Adventures in Cat Town Colouring-In

A fun and adventurous colouring sheet!

Activity
Anahera colouring-in

Colour in these free sheets of legendary kiwi mama, Anahera!

Activity
Giraffe The Gardener Colouring-In

Download and print this free colouring-in page from Giraffe the Gardener by Kimberly Andrews.

Activity
How to throw the perfect Bluey birthday party

Everything you need to throw the perfect Bluey birthday party!

Activity
Xtraordinary People: Unlock your extraordinary dyslexic thinking skills

Print this free activity pack from Xtraordinary People by Kate Griggs.

Activity
Cosy Calm colouring-in

Print this free colouring-in page from Cosy Calm by Cherry Lam.

Activity
The 113th Assistant Librarian activity pack

A free activity pack from the magical world of The 113th Assistant Librarian by Stuart Wilson.

Activity
Bluey Hip Hip Hooray Activity Pack

Download a free 4-page Bluey activity pack!

Activity
Bluey Birthday Card

Download your free Bluey birthday card.

Activity
Bluey Birthday Invite

Download this super fun Bluey party invitation.

Activity
Milestones with Ms Rachel Potty Chart

Have fun potty training with Ms Rachel!

Activity
Design your dream garden with Giraffe the Gardener!

Design your dream garden and be in to WIN it as an illustrated print by Kimberly Andrews

Activity
Go, Scooter, Go! Colouring-in

Download this colouring sheet from Kaye Julian, illustrator of the energetic and fun picture book Go, Scooter, Go!

Activity
Bluey Easter Basket Activity

Make your Easter egg hunt eggstra special with this Bingo basket template!

Activity
Bluey Easter Colouring-in

Celebrate Easter with Bluey!

Activity
Granny McFlitter Stitches Up a Storm Activity Pack

Make the most of rainy day with these Granny McFlitter activity sheets!

Activity
Download some Ms Rachel colouring sheets!

Download some free sample Ms Rachel colouring sheets and grab your copy of the book for over 100 pages of fun for littles.

Activity
Granny McFlitter Stitches Up a Storm Activity Sheets

Rainy day? Give these activities from Granny McFlitter Stitches Up a Storm a go!

Activity
Granny McFlitter Stitches Up a Storm Colouring Pages

Colour in these sheets from champion knitter Granny McFlitter's wild weather adventure: Granny McFlitter Stitches Up a Storm!

Activity
Colour in Bluey at Christmas!

Download a page from Bluey: Merry Christmas: A Colouring Book to get into the Bluey Christmas spirit!

Activity
Ms Rachel's tips for language and brain development

Ms Rachel shares some tips for encouraging speech and learning through play and music.

Activity
Granny McFlitter's Christmas Activity Pack

Get ready for Christmas with this marvellous Granny McFlitter activity pack!

Activity
Bluey: Let's Get Spooky Bunting

Download this free super-fun Bluey Halloween bunting.

Book clubs

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Book clubs
Eleanor Jones is Playing with Fire book club questions

A fiery mystery adventure to read with your book club.

Book clubs
A Different Kind of Power Reader’s Guide

Dive deeper into Jacinda Arden's insightful, inspiring, and deeply personal memoir with this discussion guide.

Book clubs
This Kingdom of Dust book club questions

An epic reimagining of the Apollo mission to read with your book club.

Book clubs
The Deadly Dispute book club questions

The delightfully entertaining new novel in The Tea Ladies cosy crime series. Perfect for reading with your book club!

Book clubs
Blood pact book club questions

Fiona McIntosh's explosive new Jack Hawksworth thriller, perfect to read with your book club.

Book clubs
The Sex Lives of Married Women book club questions

A sexy, funny, surprising tale of female friendship to read with your book club.

Book clubs
Wifedom read-along

Download a free read-along booklet, complete with reading schedule, questions and more.

Book clubs
29 of the most popular book club books of 2025 (so far)

Check out some of the most popular book club books of 2025.

Book clubs
The Fallen Woman book club questions

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

Book clubs
Psykhe book club questions

A new twist on a Greek myth that gives voice, power and agency to the woman at the centre of the story.

Book clubs
The Cryptic Clue book club questions

The second book in The Tea Ladies series is a fun mystery to read with your book club.

Book clubs
What I Would Do to You book club questions

A stunning, thought-provoking debut to read with your book club.

Book clubs
A Gentleman in Moscow book club questions

A letter from the author and book club questions for one of Amor Towles' most popular books.

Book clubs
The Space Between - Book club notes

Delve deeper into this story of love, class and belonging, set at the brink of the New Zealand Wars. A great bookclub pick!

Book clubs
The Other Bridget book club questions

A feelgood romantic comedy by Australia's bestselling romance writer.

Book clubs
The Bee Sting book club questions

A thought-provoking book about family and fortune to read with your book club.

Book clubs
Foul Play book club questions

A heart-stopping Jack Hawksworth novel to read with your book club.

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