> Skip to content

Get in early this Christmas

Sort out your gifts this Christmas before the December rush, see some of our top picks from the year to help you find the perfect gift

Penguin picks

All Out by Neil Wagner

An inspiring and revealing memoir about the relentless pursuit of dreams, and the highs and lows along the way, from one of the Black Caps' finest test cricketers.

Read an extract

The breathtaking new novel from Haruki Murakami

When a young man’s girlfriend mysteriously vanishes, he sets his heart on finding the imaginary city where her true self lives. When he finally makes it there, she has no memory of their life together and he must decide what he’s willing to lose . . .

Get yours

The funniest Wimpy Kid yet

Heaps of family, a tiny beach house and sweltering heat. What could possibly go wrong? This new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book follows Greg as he tries to uncover his family secrets – but will he just stir the pot?

Check it out

Winner of the 2024 Booker Prize

A team of astronauts in the International Space Station circle their silent blue planet sixteen times, taking in the endless beauty witnessed in a single day. Yet although separated from the world, they cannot escape its constant pull. So far from earth, they have never felt more part of it.

Learn more

In Too Deep

Jack Reacher wakes up, alone, in the dark, handcuffed to a makeshift bed. He has no memory of getting there, but his captors have a plan to make him talk. A plan that will backfire spectacularly . . .

Find out more

Bake with Brooki

Step into the kitchen with wildly popular baker Brooke Bellamy, owner of Brooki Bakehouse, and discover how to create the most delectable sweet treats for every craving and occasion.

Try a recipe

The start of a new Richard Osman series

From the author of the Thursday Murder Club books comes a fun, new series. When a retiree and his daughter-in-law get involved in a murder case, a breakneck race around the world begins.

Out Now

Games Untold

Romance, luxury and secrets abound in this thrilling new story collection. These tales of love, loss, power, puzzles and life-and-death secrets will prove one thing: when you love the way Hawthornes love, there is no going back.

See the book

Odyssey

Stephen Fry’s outstanding retellings of the Greek Myths come to a close with this book. After 10 years of war, the Greeks make their way back to their own lands – but what homes now await them?

Learn more

Features

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.

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
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!

Article
A Guide to Waitohu Journal

Nau mai ki Waitohu! Read on to learn about Hinemoa Elder's inspiration behind Waitohu, and how to use this special journal.

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
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
Where to start with: Māori Made Easy

Keen to start your language learning journey but don't know where to begin? Scotty Morrison's bestselling series is the resource you need!

Brand new recipes

Recipe
Crispy Noodle Fishcakes

Fun, fast and surprising, teaming up fish and noodles creates the most erratically exciting texture.

Recipe
Carrot Cake

A deliciously divine classic carrot cake.

Recipe
Bingo's 'Botato' Salad

It's like a vegetable, we all like it and it starts with a B. Can you guess what it is?

Recipe
Mini Bluey Pavlovas

What could be more fun than a Mini Bluey? Mini Bluey Pavlovas for the Christmas table, of course!

Recipe
Mozzarella Salad With Grilled Peaches & Honey

A delicious Italian inspired salad perfect for a sunny lunch

Recipe
Kūmara Ginger Kisses

A classic Kiwi sweet treat with a twist!

Recipe
Beetroot & Ricotta Pasta

Shockingly vivid, surprising and fun. Mix up your pasta repertoire and give this beetroot number a try.

Recipe
Puttanesca-Style Salmon Bake

A mouth-watering traybake with a winning combination of flavours.

Recipe
Ice-Cream Truck

On a hot summer’s day, is there anything more delightful than hearing the ice-cream truck music?

Recipe
Cheese, Potato & Spinach Filo Pie

I wrote this recipe for a Greek-style filo pie after going to Mary Quicke’s farm and dairy near Exeter.

Recipe
Black Forest Cupcakes

There’s something very European about a Black Forest gateau, and not just because it originates from Germany.

Recipe
Miso Sriracha Noodle Soup with Jammy Eggs

Ginger, garlic, miso and the heat from the sriracha add a soothing warmth and zing to this noodle soup

Recipe
Buddy Oliver's Barbecued Chicken Lollipops with Pepper and Pineapple Salsa and Lemony Couscous

This summery dish from Buddy Oliver is the perfect starter recipe for kids wanting to get involved with the barbecue! Simple chicken skewers are served alongside fluffy lemony couscous and a bright pineapple and red pepper salsa.

Recipe
Buddy Oliver's Greens Pasta

Try this kid-friendly recipe for greens pasta from Buddy Oliver for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Packed with broccoli and peas and topped with a crunchy garlicky breadcrumb topping this simple dish is ready in just 20 minutes.

Recipe
Pink Cake

Yellow cake with a watermelon-strawberry jam filling.

Recipe
Fuss-Free Crumbed Fish with Roasted Potatoes & Tartare Sauce

This easy fish traybake makes for a fresher, more luxurious version of fish and chips.

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.

Activities

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
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.

Activity
Bluey Heelerween Colouring-in

Download this free Bluey Halloween colouring-in activity.

Activity
Colour in The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra!

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.

Activity
Colour in the Witch of Maketu!

The Witch of Maketu is feeling grumpy and stink. The twelve juicy lambs she’s kept for her winter kai are bleating all day and night. She can’t get any beauty sleep!

Activity
Free, printable Father’s Day Cards

Download and print your very own Father’s Day cards, perfect for accompanying any books you plan on gifting Dad.

Activity
Peppa Pig activity pack

To celebrate the release of Peppa Pig: My Best Friend Peppa: 20th Anniversary Picture Book, we have a fun activity pack for a Peppa Party!

Activity
Celebrate Father's Day this year with Bandit!

Learn how to draw Bluey and Bingo's dad, Bandit. Download this sheet and follow the simple steps to help you draw Dad.

Activity
Nanny Rina's Amazing Nets Colouring Sheet

Colour in this sheet from a heartwarming story about aroha, whānau, passing down traditional knowledge and welcoming in the new year

Activity
Willa and Woof: Camp Chaos maze activity

Help Willa find Woof with this fun maze activity!

Activity
Ways to keep busy this long weekend

Activities to keep the children engaged this weekend (regardless of the weather!)

Activity
Detective Beans colouring-in activity

Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat colouring activity.

Activity
Bluey Mother's Day colouring-in activity for the whole family!

Wackadoo! Unwind with this great colouring-in activity, just in time for Mother’s Day!

Activity
Colour in Ring Ting Tūī!

Colour in these sheets from the melodious counting picture book bursting with troublesome tūī!

Activity
Play and Grow with The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar on his adventures with these fun activities.

Activity
Bluey Easter activity pack

Celebrate Easter with this free printable download.

Activity
Activity
Emma Memma colouring-in activity

Colour in with Emma Memma!

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!)

Audiobooks from New Zealand

See all
The Bone People

A shimmering, important novel. New Zealand’s first Booker winner, The Bone People, is available in an accessible digital format for the first time.

Read more
The Art of Winning

A unique and inspiring deep dive into leadership, strength and resilience from one of sport's true masters: All Black legend Dan Carter.

Read more
Aroha

The top-selling New Zealand non-fiction title of 2021! The timeless wisdom of Māori proverbs - 52 traditional Māori sayings explained by respected Māori psychiatrist Dr Hinemoa Elder, showing us how we can live better lives, in harmony with the planet.

Read more
Hairy Maclary Treasury

A special edition of the Hairy Maclary Treasury to celebrate the raggedy rascal’s 40th birthday! This volume brings together all ten of his mischievous and mad adventures, along with a link to download the audio book.

Read more
Grand

The astonishing debut memoir about mothers and daughters, drinking, birth and loss, running away and homecoming from prize-winning writer and broadcaster Noelle McCarthy.

Read more
The Penguin History of New Zealand

The definitive and bestselling history of Aotearoa New Zealand by one of our leading historians, continuously in print for 20 years.

Read more
The Everything Guide

Every woman’s honest, healthy guide to eating, moving and feeling your best — for the rest of your life.

Read more
Māori Made Easy Pocket Guide

Everything you need to speak te reo Māori with confidence.

Read more
I Am Not Esther

A classic bestseller that's been in print for over 20 years, this gripping YA thriller follows a teenage girl caught in a religious cult.

Read more
Pounamu Pounamu - Te reo Māori edition

Witi Ihimaera’s first published book — Pounamu Pounamu — translated into te reo Māori. Published in collaboration with Kotahi Rau Pukapuka.

Read more
Bite Back

A compassionate guide to navigating eating disorders, for those experiencing them and their loved ones, from someone who has been there.

Read more
The Denniston Rose

A number one bestseller, this favourite New Zealand novel captures a real 19th century community.

Read more
The Astromancer

A lively story with stunning illustrations that reveals the tradition of Matariki.

Read more
The Whale Rider

A classic novel that became a classic film.

Read more
A History of New Zealand in 100 Objects

New Zealand history through a new lens – 100 objects offer 100 entry points into the powerful, captivating stories of our shared past.

Read more
Poor People With Money

A darkly comic, gritty, punch-in-the-guts new novel that captures life on the poverty line, from the author of 1986, Iceland and I Thought We’d Be Famous.

Read more
Wawata - Moon Dreaming

Dr Hinemoa Elder, author of Aroha, New Zealand's top-selling non-fiction title of 2021, shows us how to reclaim intimacy with others, with ourselves, and with our planet using the energies of Hina, the Māori moon.

Read more
How to Loiter In a Turf War

A genre-bending work of autobiographical fiction from one of Aotearoa’s fiercest and most versatile artists.

Read more
Gabriel's Bay

Warm, witty and wicked, this is the perfect escapist read!

Read more
Letters to You

Beautiful gift package book of letters to provide support, information, encouragement and tips on practical help for anyone suffering low moments.

Read more
Cousins

One of Patricia Grace's most popular novels.

Read more