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 PANZ Book Design Awards were established by the Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) to promote excellence in, and provide recognition for, the best book design in New Zealand.
The winner of the Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand Award for Best Typography was Pacific Arts Aotearoa edited by Lana Lopesi (Penguin Random House NZ in association with Pacific Arts, Creative New Zealand|Toi Aotearoa). Cover designed by Shaun Naufahu (Alt Group), interior by Shaun Naufahu (Alt Group) & Katrina Duncan.
In a shock announcement, both Pacific Arts Aotearoa and Rewi: Āta haere, kia tere (Massey University Press) received the honour of Penguin Random House New Zealand Award for Best Illustrated Book.
The judges were split down the middle and felt strongly that both books were equally worthy of the prize so made the unusual decision to award it to two titles.
Judges acknowledged that Pacific Arts Aotearoa is a testament to the power of collaboration in book design. The collective work of designers like Shaun Naufahu and Katrina Duncan underlines how vital teamwork and shared vision are to producing award-winning books. Naufahu’ and Duncan’s design for Pacific Arts Aotearoa emphasizes typographical clarity and artistic flair, beautifully complementing the rich content curated by Lana Lopesi.
The highly anticipated Allen & Unwin Award for Best Commercial Book for Adults went to Fungi of Aotearoa by Liv Sisson (Penguin Random House NZ), designed by Carla Sy.
The judges were enamoured with Sy's design on Fungi, blending scientific precision with aesthetic charm, resonated with both the judges and readers, highlighting the natural beauty of Aotearoa's unique ecosystem. Sy’s work balances the book's scientific content with a compelling visual narrative, elevating what might have been a niche subject into a mainstream design triumph.
Penguin Random House’s performance at the 2024 PANZ Book Design Awards reflects our continued excellence and the vibrant diversity of Aotearoa’s book design community. The night's recognition of Māori and Pasifika talent ensured that this year’s event was as meaningful as it was visually stunning, and it was especially appropriate. As the industry continues to evolve, the PANZ Book Design Awards serve as a reminder of the creative ingenuity and collaborative spirit that drive New Zealand’s publishing world forward, and we are proud to be the sponsors of the Best Illustrated Book Award.
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