New Zealand fiction reading guide
The people, places, language and history of our country as reflected by Kiwi authors.
Fiction by New Zealand writers can reveal something of our national character - our obsessions, language, traditions, and ways of thinking. Find familiar settings, or hidden corners, characters you recognise or those that challenge, and more, in the fiction of Aotearoa.
New Zealand fiction reading lists
New Zealand fiction - eBooks & eAudiobooks
A collection of great New Zealand fiction accessible from home, or anywhere. Available from Libby, Wheelers, Borrowbox, and OverDrive.
New Zealand fiction sub-genre lists
New Zealand Contemporary Fiction
If you enjoy stories with recognisable people, settings, and experiences why not try some contemporary Kiwi fiction?
Kaituhi Māori
Titles written by Māori New Zealanders and representing different cultural experiences and perspectives.
New Zealand Fantasy
An eclectic mix of New Zealand's best fantasy fiction. Filled with epic otherworldly tales, packed with adventure and magical beings!
New Zealand Horror
The best and scariest New Zealand fiction, with its own undeniable Kiwi flavour.
New Zealand Graphic Novels
Otherworldly tales, characters from Māori mythology, memoir and anthology - selected titles from talented kiwi artists and writers.
New Zealand Fiction by women
An eclectic mix of books by women exploring themes of family life, relationships, culture clash and belonging from a unique Kiwi perspective
New Zealand Fiction - Award Winners
Novels by New Zealand authors which have been lauded with awards and critical acclaim, making their way into the New Zealand literary canon.
Short Stories - Aotearoa/New Zealand
Short stories written by a range of Kiwi authors, including classics from literary greats through to modern takes from fresh talent.
New Zealand Historical Fiction
These titles all offer a glimpse into New Zealand's past and how it might have been to live, love and survive in those times.
New Zealand Science Fiction
A selection of titles celebrating Sci-fi born from the minds of talented New Zealand authors.
New Zealand crime fiction
Blood-soaked, intricately plotted stories, detectives, seedy urban settings, and often dark humour - explore the darker side of Kiwi fiction
Best NZ book covers of 2026 ... so far!
Fungi, the 80s, bugs, and crinkled up paper - these are the book covers from Aotearoa that have made Donna go "Ooooo look at that".
Treachery at Tūranga: Ngaio Marsh Mystery in the Library
Canterbury crime buffs were treated to a panel of New Zealand crime and mystery writers ahead of the Ngaio Marsh Awards.
New this week
Every week we publish just ordered, new fiction, and new non-fiction lists. Find out the newest titles added to the library collection.
Shortest fiction on the shortest day: NFFD 2026
Rachel shares what happens at the annual flash fiction celebration coming up at Tūranga on 22 June.
Best NZ book covers of 2026 ... so far!
Fungi, the 80s, bugs, and crinkled up paper - these are the book covers from Aotearoa that have made Donna go "Ooooo look at that".
Treachery at Tūranga: Ngaio Marsh Mystery in the Library
Canterbury crime buffs were treated to a panel of New Zealand crime and mystery writers ahead of the Ngaio Marsh Awards.
New this week
Every week we publish just ordered, new fiction, and new non-fiction lists. Find out the newest titles added to the library collection.
Shortest fiction on the shortest day: NFFD 2026
Rachel shares what happens at the annual flash fiction celebration coming up at Tūranga on 22 June.
Find great reads:
Authors of New Zealand fiction:
Award-winning New Zealand fiction
Award winning New Zealand fiction
Find fiction in the genre you love
Whatever kind of fiction you're into, find lists, new authors to try, and staff picks.