New Zealand books
Want to learn te reo Māori or read some local classics?
You're in the right place, scroll on to find your next great book.
Penguin publishes some of the biggest and best authors from all around the world, but we love our very own homegrown New Zealand publishing most especially.
A brilliant memoir of adolescence in New Zealand and of the migration of European manuscripts to the far side of the world
The latest novel from Charlotte Grimshaw, best-selling author of The Mirror Book.
Bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood – the hard, the magic and the fleeting.
A heart-tugging rhyming picture book for preschoolers, parents and grandparents, reminiscent of Guess How Much I Love You and Kissed by the Moon.
‘The kind of book you need to clear a space for, so you can read it in one satisfying gulp.’
Paula Green, POETRY BOX
When a sporty teen's leg is crushed in a mountain accident, he has to face new challenges one tiny but huge step at a time.
Discover the man behind the magic as rugby league sensation Shaun Johnson tells the story of his life on and off the field for the very first time in his own words.
An inspiring and heartwarming book about the relationship between a working mum and her daughter by the former prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern.
Today I got out of bed and asked Mum
what day it was. 'Monday,' she said.
I asked if that was a day care day.
She said yes. I stomped my feet.
Discover the rich world of New Zealand’s wild edible plants with this comprehensive guide.
Master your winning mindset with lessons from the life and career of All Blacks coaching legend Gilbert Enoka
A richly illustrated, affectionate celebration of Aotearoa's native birds, and the efforts we all make to protect them.
Meet Dame Whina Cooper, the kuia who championed Māori rights and women’s rights and led a famous hīkoi for positive change.
Meet Dame Whina Cooper, the kuia who championed Māori rights, women’s rights and led a famous hīkoi for positive change – te reo Māori edition of Mother of the Nation, translated by Stacey Morrison.
#1 New Zealand bestseller
#1 Amazon bestseller
#2 Audible bestseller
#3 New York Times bestseller
#3 Sunday Times bestseller
#4 Australian bestseller
From the former prime minister of New Zealand, then the world’s youngest female head of government and just the second to give birth in office, comes a deeply personal memoir chronicling her extraordinary rise and offering inspiration to a new generation of leaders.
For generations, Lynley Dodd's Hairy Maclary stories have introduced young children to the joy of reading. With this Little Learning Library, the mischievous dog and his friends instigate a lifetime love of learning with the ABC, 123, Colours and Opposites!
Who spilled that blue paint? There's a messy mystery afoot, and Detective Clue-keko needs your help to solve it!
Detective Beans is back to solve all the mysteries that you need solved, and even the ones you don’t need solved. He’s that good.
Dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul, meals magically appear based on your mood and dreams literally come to life . . . Nevermoor meets Pokémon in New Zealand author Graci Kim's thrilling new middle-grade fantasy series!
This is the inspiring true story of one big, fierce mama kiwi, two caring communities, three conscientious kiwi dads, over 60 thriving chicks, and a wild population restored after a 150-year gap! Written and illustrated for kids by award-winning author Ruth Paul, this visionary conservation project literally took place in her own back yard.
Another case to solve for the number-one bestselling Bookshop Detectives.
Meet green-hoofed Giraffe, unstoppable creator of the most magnificent garden. But when he injures his neck, will all his hard work go to ruin? Not if Giraffe Junior has anything to do with it!
The winning illustrations of the 2024 Storylines Gavin Bishop Award combine with a fun, quirky story by Kyle Mewburn to create an unforgettable gem of a picture book!
An accessible guide to significant places and people of the New Zealand Wars from a Māori perspective.
When a purler of a storm tears apart the campground, champion knitter Granny McFlitter is determined to stitch it back together. But there’s a bothersome goat chasing after her tasty knitting, and she’ll need to be more creative than ever before... Kids will love this wild-weather adventure from the award-winning creators of Granny McFlitter!
A missing woman . . . a townful of suspects. The haunting debut crime novel that transports the reader back to the 1980s and a small rural town in New Zealand, for readers of Chris Hammer, J P Pomare and Margaret Hickey.
A stunning new collection of short stories from master storyteller Owen Marshall.
A very special hardback collection of 10 classic children's stories for young readers to treasure, written and illustrated by the multiple-award-winning New Zealand author Gavin Bishop.
Wild Walks Aotearoa is an informative, inspiring and visually stunning guide to tramping in New Zealand, for walkers of all levels and experiences.
A beyond-the-boundaries guide to an outstanding decade of New Zealand sporting conquest, catastrophe and commentary as seen through the eyes of the Alternative Commentary Collective.
Favourite song The Pōhutukawa Tree is accompanied by twinkling illustrations, perfect for a Kiwi Christmas!
A glorious chorus with sumptuous illustrations by leading children's book creator Donovan Bixley.
Aotearoa New Zealand's favourite witch is having trouble with her kai. How can she stop the juicy morsels from bleating all day and all night? A hilarious picture book from the wildly creative singer and entertainer Anika Moa that is sure to cast a spell on your heart!
Kiwi classics and more with a decadent twist, to cook for yourself or for friends.
Create your own stories with raggedy rascal Hairy Maclary and all his friends in this magnetic board book.
The true tale of how one woman’s lifelong obsession became a midlife mermaid odyssey, from the irrepressibly witty author of Tinderbox and Things I Learned at Art School.
Two small-town booksellers (and their cowardly dog) solve a decades-old murder-mystery in this witty debut novel, full of literary clues, sparkling dialogue, and comedic insights into the world of bookshops.
