The list of Notable Books was established in 1999 to reflect the wide-ranging achievements of New Zealand authors and illustrators. The CLFNZ Notable Books list allows for the inclusion of picture books with offshore illustrators as well as anthologies. In 2019 an extra category for books in te reo Māori or bilingual books was added.
Our page on the Storylines Awards.
2024
Picture Books
-
The Very Best Words Erin Munro, Sarah Trolle - Hatch and Match Ruth Paul
- Watson the Detective Dog Susan Brocker, Jenny Cooper
- Spotty the Zebra Peter Millett, Raymond McGrath
- The Squeakling. The Tale of Spike, Max and the Tiny Intruder Kristin Kelly, Ronja Schipper
- The Little Witch Who Lost her Broom! Elaine Bicknell, Raymond McGrath
- Beddy-Bye Time in the Kōwhai Tree Juliette MacIver, Lily Uivel
- Elephant Park Melanie Koster, Jenny Cooper
Junior fiction
-
Take Me To Your Leader Leonie Agnew, Paul Beavis - Nine Girls Stacy Gregg
- Brown Bird Jane Arthur
- The Raven’s Eye Runaways Claire Mabey
- The Grimmelings Rachael King
- Jason Mason and the Dastardly Master of Disguise Jason Gunn and Andrew Gunn
- Brave Kāhu and the Pōrangi Magpie Shelley Burne-Field.
- Children of the Rush – Book 3 James Russell
- Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman Tim Tipene, Isobel Te Aho-White
- Koro’s Star Claire Aramakutu
Young Adult
- Gracehopper Mandy Hager
- Migration Steph Matuku
Te Reo Māori
-
A Ariā me te Atua o te Kūmara Witi Ihimaera, Isobel Joy te Aho-White (illustrator), Hēni Jacob (translator) - Ngā Kupenga a Nanny Rina Qiane Matata-Sipu, Isobel Joy te Aho-White (illustrator)
- Titiro / Look Gavin Bishop
- Kuwi & Friends He Puka Ngohe – Activity Book Kat Quin, Pānia Papa (translator)
- Rere Atu Taku Poi! – Let My Poi Fly! Tangaroa Paul, Rebecca Gibbs (illustrator)
- Te Pīkari Pipi Angie Belcher, Lily Uivel (illustrator), Pānia Papa (translator)
- Ko ngā Whetū Kai o Matariki. Ko Tupuānuku rāua ko Tupuārangi Miriama Kamo, Zak Waipara (illustrator), Ariana Stevens (translator)
- Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro Elizabeth Gray, Rehua Wilson (illustrator)
Non-Fiction
-
Dear Moko: Māori wisdom for our young ones Dr Hinemoa Elder, Miriama Grace-Smith (illustrator) - Piki te Ora: Your Wellbeing Journal Hira Nathan and Jessie Eyre, Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho (illustrator)
- Kiwi Bees Have Tiny Knees: Native Bees of Aotearoa New Zealand Rachel Weston
- Kuwi & Friends He Puka Ngohe – Activity Book Kat Quin, Pānia Papa (translator)
- The Beach Activity Book: 99 Ideas for Activities by the Water Around Aotearoa New Zealand Rachel Haydon, Pippa Keel (illustrator)
- Play Wild. Nature Craft Projects for Tamariki Rachel Clare
- Tasting With Your Feet. The amazing way animals make sense of the world Ned Barraud
- My Matariki Colouring and Activity Book Dr Rangi Matamua and Miriama Kamo, Isobel Joy te Aho-White (illustrator)
Honour Book - Non-Fiction
Mawson in Antarctica Anna Grochowicz
2023
Picture Books
- Lucy and the Dark, Melinda Szymanik, Vasanti Unka
- Matariki, Gavin Bishop
- Granny McFlitter’s Eggcellent Easter, Heather Haylock, Lael Chisholm
- At the Bach, Joy Cowley, Hilary Jean Tapper
- The Great Kiwi School Day, Donovan Bixley
-
E Oma, Rāpeti: Pō Mārie / Run, Rabbit: Goodnight, Norah Wilson, Kimberly Andrews, Pānia Papa (translator) - Duck Goes Meow, Juliette MacIver, Carla Martell
- Grandpa’s Dashing Dessert, Tania Sickling, Lael Chisholm
- Tama and the Taniwha, Melanie Koster, Monica Koster
- Dazzlehands, Sacha Cotter, Josh Morgan
Junior fiction
- Tūī Street Legends, Anne Kayes, Craig Phillips
- Below, David Hill
- Pipi and Pou and the Tentacles of the Deep, Tim Tipene, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
- The Hudson, the Hunt & the Helicopter, Joan Joass
- Jason Mason and the Flightless Bird Fiasco, Jason Gunn, Andrew Gunn
-
Once Upon A Wickedness, Fleur Beale, Lily Uivel - Children of the Rush – Book 2, James Russell
- Lopini the Legend, Feana Tu‘akoi
- RockyBottoms! Big Little Blue, Book Two, Raymond McGrath
- Like The Wind, J L Williams
Highly Commended
- Caged, Susan Brocker
Young Adult
-
The Sparrow, Tessa Duder - The Impossible Story of Hannah Kemp, Leonie Agnew
- Flying and Falling, Lynda Tomalin
- Iris and Me, Philippa Werry
- The Edge of Light: New Dawning, AM Dixon
- The Other Brother, Jax Calder
- Catch a Falling Star, Eileen Merriman
Te Reo Māori
- Te Rā Kura ki Aotearoa, Donovan Bixley, Darryn Joseph (Translator)
-
Tōku Whānau Rerehua – My Beautiful Family, Rauhina Cooper, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White - Ko Ngā Whetū Takirua o Matariki, Ko Waitī rāua ko Waitā, Miriama Kamo, Zak Waipara, Ariana Stevens (translator)
- Ko Tama me te Taniwha, Melanie Koster, Monica Koster, Pānia Papa (translator)
- Riwia me te Mātai Arorangi, Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
- Ko Te Wai, Ko Tama Me Te Marama, Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
- Ka Wehi Au Ki Ngā Wenerei, Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
- He Reo Iti Noa Ahau, Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
- He Mahi Taunga Kore, Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Non-Fiction
-
Critters of Aotearoa: 50 Bizarre But Lovable Members of Our Wildlife Community, Nicola Toki, Lily Duval - The Observologist – A handbook for mounting very small scientific expeditions, Giselle Clarkson
- Good Sports: A Storybook of Kiwi Sports Heroes, Stuart Lipshaw
- My First Words About Tikanga Māori, Stacey Morrison, Kurawaka Productions
- Patu: the New Zealand Wars, Gavin Bishop
- Those Magnificent Voyagers of the Pacific, Andrew Crowe, Rick Fisher
- Mangō: Sharks and Rays of Aotearoa, Ned Barraud
- Tuatara, a Living Treasure, Katie Furze, Ned Barraud
- Wot Knot You Got? Mophead’s Guide to Life, Selina Tusitala Marsh
- Ultrawild an Audacious Plan to Rewild Every City on Earth, Steve Mushin
Highly Commended
- Pasifika Navigators – Pasifika Student Poetry Darcy Solia (Illustrator) ***Note: The poetry includes 52 Pasifika student contributors
2022
Storylines Notable Picture Books (age range from birth to 18 years)
-
Goose the Artist written and illustrated by Kimberley Andrews - The Lighthouse Princess text by Susan Wardell, illustrated by Rose Northey
- Granny McFlitter: The Knit Before Christmas by Heather Haylock, illustrations by Lael Chisholm
- The Grandmothers of Pikitea Street text by Renisa Viraj Maki, illustrated by Nikki Slade Robinson, translated by Kanapu Rangitauira
- The Eight Gifts of Te Wheke text by Steph Matuku, illustrations by Laya Mutton-Rogers
- The Greatest Haka Festival on Earth text by Pania Tahau-Hodges, illustrations by Story Hemi-Morehouse
- My Mum is Queen of the Road text by Jennifer Beck, illustrations by Lisa Allen
- How My Koro Became a Star text by Brianne Te Paa, illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse
- Roo and Vladimir written and illustrated by Minky Stapleton
- Pelorus Jack the Dolphin Guide text by Susan Brocker, illustrated by Raymond McGrath
Storylines Notable Junior Fiction (age range from 7 years to 13 years)
-
Kākāpō Keeper Gay Buckingham - Masher Fifi Colston
- Spark Hunter Sonya Wilson
- Little Tales of Hedgehog and Goat text by Paula Green, illustrated by Kimberly Andrews
- The Ghost House text by Bill Nagelkerke, illustrated by Theo Macdonald
- Holding The Horse J L (Janine) Williams
- ECHO Arlo Kelly
- Kidnap at Mystery Island Carol Garden
- The Crate: A Ghost Story James Norcliffe
- Children of the Rush James Russell
Highly commended
- The Astromancer: The Rising of Matariki, by Witi Ihimaera, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
- Clash of the Cousins, by Louise Shaw
- The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim
- Torn Apart: The Partition of India, 1947, by Swapna Haddow
- ToiToi Jillion 2, editor Charlotte Gibbs
Storylines Notable Young Adult Fiction (age range from 13 years to 18 years)
-
The Tomo by Mary-Anne Scott (OneTree House 2021) - Black Spiral Eileen Merriman
- Coastwatcher David Hill
- Black Wolf Eileen Merriman
- Tama Sāmoa text by Dahlia Malaeulu, illustrations by Mani Malaeulu
- Indigo Moon Eileen Merriman
Highly commended
The Other Sister, Philippa Werry
Storylines Notable Non-fiction (age range from 3 years to 18 years)
-
Atua: Māori Gods and Heroes Gavin Bishop - Kia Kaha: A Storybook of Māori Who Changed the World text by Stacey Morrison, illustrator Jeremy Sherlock
- Why is That Spider Dancing? The Amazing Arachnids of Aotearoa text by Simon Pollard, illustrated by Phil Sirvid
- Get Outdoors: Brilliant Boredom Busters for Kiwi Kids Paul Adamson
- Roar Squeak Purr: A New Zealand Treasury of Animal Poems edited by Paula Green, illustrated by Jenny Cooper
- I Am Autistic. An Interactive and informative guide to autism (by someone diagnosed with it) Chanelle Moriah
- Te Wehenga; The Separation of Ranginui & Paptūānuku Mat Tait
- One Weka Went Walking text by Kate Preece, illustrated by Pippa Ensor
- Matariki Around the World: A Cluster of Stars, a Cluster of Stories text by Miriama Kamo & Rangi Matamua, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
- Standing In My Own Shoes: Letters from New Zealand Olympians and Paralympians edited by David Riley
Highly commended
- Weather and Climate New Zealand, Sandra Carrod, Karsten Schneider (illustrator)
- Nature’s Wildlife Weapons, James Ryan
Storylines Notable Te Reo Māori (original texts or translations into Te Reo Māori, any genre)
-
Tu Meke Tuatara! A little kindness goes a long way text by Malcolm Clarke, illustrated by Hayley King (AKA Flox), translated by Evelyn M Tobin - Te Kōkōrangi text by Witi Ihimaera, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White, translated by Hēni Jacob
- Ngā Ngeru text by Amiria Stirling, illustrated by Sarah Illingworth
- Ko Īhaka me te Manuwhiri i Puta Ohorere mai text by Kirsty Wadsworth, illustrated by Zak Waipara, translated by Pānia Papa
- Mokopuna Matatini text by Pania Tahau-Hodges, illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse
- Ko Tōku Māmā te Kuini o te Rori text by Jennifer Beck, illustrated by Lisa Allen, translated by Kawata Teepa
- Ngā Taonga e Waru mā Te Wheke text by Steph Matuku, illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers, translated by Kawata Teepa
- Kua Whetūrangitia a Koro text by Brianne Te Paa, illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse
- Te Taonga Huna o Awatea by Fraser Smith, translated by Piripi Walker
- Tiare Tangaroa me Taipō Moana text by T K Roxborogh, illustrated by Phoebe Morris, translated by Kanapu Rangitauira
2021
Picture books
-
I am the Universe Vasanti Unka - Moose the Pilot Kimberly Andrews
- My Elephant is Blue Melinda Szymanik, illustrations by Vasanti Unka
- Dozer the Fire Cat Robyn Prokop, illustrations by Jenny Cooper
- Sharing with Wolf Melinda Szymanik, illustrations by Nikki Slade Robinson
- The Hug Blanket Chris Gurney, illustrations by Lael Chisholm
- This Is Where I Stand Philippa Werry, illustrations by Kieran Rynhart
- Flit the Fantail and the Matariki Map Kat Quin
- Mummy Monster Stephanie Thatcher
- Hare & Ruru: A Quiet Moment Laura Shallcrass
Junior fiction
-
Mallory, Mallory: The Revenge of the Tooth Fairy James Norcliffe, illustrations by Emily Walker - The Inkberg Enigma Jonathan King
- Viola Vincent Reporting – Troubled Water Anna Kenna
- Charlie Tangaroa and the Creature from the Sea T K Roxborogh, illustrations by Phoebe Morris
- Red Edge Des Hunt
- Spearo Mary-anne Scott
- Three Scoops: Stories by David Hill David Hill, illustrations by Lisa Allen
- The Memory Thief Leonie Agnew, illustrations by Kieran Rynhart
- The Tunnel of Dreams Bernard Beckett
- The Ghosts on the Hill Bill Nagelkerke, illustrations by Theo Macdonald
Young adult fiction
-
Hello Strange Pamela Morrow - A Trio of Sophies Eileen Merriman
- The Calling Fleur Beale
- The Pōrangi Boy Shilo Kino
- Violet Black Eileen Merriman
- The King’s Nightingale Sherryl Jordan
- Half My Life Diana Noonan
- Displaced Cristina Sanders
- These Violent Delights Chloe Gong
- Falling into Rarohenga Steph Matuku
Non-fiction
-
Kuwi & Friends Māori Picture Dictionary Kat Quin. Translator Pānia Papa - Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem Selina Tusitala Marsh
- My Little Book of Bugs – Taku pukapuka iti mō ngā pepeke
- Going to Te Papa Asiasiga ‘i le Falemata’aga i Te Papa Dahlia Malaeulu Translated by Niusila Faamanatu-Eteuati
- Egg and Spoon: An Illustrated Cookbook Alexandra Tylee, illustrated by Giselle Clarkson
- My Name is Henry Fanshaw Gillian Torckler, illustrated by Adele Jackson
- How Do I Feel? A Dictionary of Emotions for Children Rebekah Lipp, illustrated by Craig Phillips
- North & South: A tale of two hemispheres Sandra Morris
- The New Zealand Wars Matthew Wright
- The Reading Tribe David Riley
Te Reo Māori
- Kuwi & Friends Māori Picture Dictionary Kat Quin. Translator Pānia Papa
-
Pīpī Kiwi Helen Taylor. Translated by Hēni Jacob - Ngake me Whātaitai Ben Ngaia, illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers
- Te Uruuru Whenua o Ngātoroirangi Chris Winitana, illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers
- Te Whānau Kauri Suzy Cato & Arthur Baysting (deceased), illustrated by Craig Fletcher
- Ko Flit, te Tīrairaka me te Mahere Matariki Kat Quin. Translated by Pānia Papa
- He Wheke Wai Mamangu Au Stephanie Thatcher. Translated by Pānia Papa
- Ko Pekakiwi Melinda Szymanik, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White. Translated by Pānia Papa
- Ko Rona Māhina Tim Waitai Tipene, illustrated by Theresa Reihana
2020
Picture books
-
I Had a Brother by Diana Menefy, illustrated by Malena Laugesen - Song of the River by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Kimberly Andrews
- Granny McFlitter A Country Yarn by Heather Haylock, illustrated by Lael Chisholm
- The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! by Elaine Bickell, illustrated by Raymond McGrath
- Things in the Sea are Touching Me! by Linda Jane Keegan, illustrated by Minky Stapleton
- The Gobbledegook Book by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Giselle Clarkson
- Mr Kiwi Has an Important Job by Heather Hunt
- Bess the Brave War Horse by Susan Brocker, illustrated by Raymond McGrath
Junior fiction
-
Prince of Ponies by Stacy Gregg - Avis and the Promise of Dragons by Heather McQuillan
- Tūi Street Heroes by Anne Kayes
- #Tumeke! by Michael Petherick
- Hazel and the Snails by Nan Blanchard, illustrated by Giselle Clarkson
- The Telegram by Philippa Werry
- Bullseye Bella by James T Guthrie
- Lizard's Tale by Weng Wai Chan
- To Trap a Thief by Des Hunt
Young adult fiction
-
A Place of Stone and Darkness by Chris Mousdale - White Lies, Maori Legends and Fairytales written and published by Falstaff Dowling-Mitchell
- Invisibly Breathing by Eileen Merriman
- Ursa by Tina Shaw
- Wynter's Thief by Sherryl Jordan
- Afakasi Woman by Lani Wendt Young
Non-fiction
-
Dinosaur Hunter: Joan Wiffen's Awesome Fossil Discoveries by David Hill, illustrated by Phoebe Morris - Tohorā: The Southern Right Whale by Ned Barraud
- Wildlife of Aotearoa by Gavin Bishop
- Mophead: How your Difference Makes a Difference by Selina Tusitala Marsh
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi by Ross Calman and Mark Derby, illustrated by Toby Morris, te reo Māori text by Piripi Walker
- Māui's Taonga Tales: A Treasury of Tales from the South Pacific edited by David Brechin-Smith and Ranea Aparehama
- The Adventures of Tupaia by Courtney Sina Meredith, illustrated by Mat Tait
- Three Kiwi Tales: More Fabulous Fix-it Stories from Wildbase Hospital by Janet Hunt
- New Zealand Nature Heroes by Gillian Candler
- First Map: How James Cook Charted Aotearoa New Zealand by Tessa Duder, illustrated by David Elliot
Te Reo Māori
-
Te Kī Taurangi a Puanga: He pūrākau Matariki by Kirsty Wadsworth, illustrated by Munro Te Whata. - He Paki Taonga i a Māui: He putunga kōrero mai i Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa edited by David Brechin-Smith and Ranea Aparehama
2019
Picture books
-
Mini Whinny: Happy Birthday to Me Stacy Gregg, illustrated by Ruth Paul - Oink David Elliot
- Dig, Dump, Roll Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock
- How Māui fished up the North Island Donovan Bixley
- I am Jellyfish Ruth Paul
- Granny McFlitter, the Champion Knitter Heather Haylock, illustrated by Lael Chisholm
- Puffin the Architect Kimberly Andrews
- Muddle & Mo’s Rainy Day Nikki Slade Robinson
- The Anzac Violin Jennifer Beck, illustrated by Robyn Belton
- The Bomb Sacha Cotter, illustrated by Josh Morgan
Junior fiction
-
The Short but Brilliant Career of Lucas Weed Chrissie Walker - Whetū Toa and the Magician Steph Makutu, illustrated by Katharine Hall
- The Mapmakers’ Race Eirlys Hunter, illustrated by Kirsten Slade
- Rafferty Ferret: Ratbag Sherryl Jordan
- The Fire Stallion Stacy Gregg
- Cuz Liz van der Laase
- My New Zealand Story: Dawn Raid Pauline (Vaeluaga) Smith
- Sticking with Pigs Mary-anne Scott
- Lyla: Through My Eyes – Natural Disaster Zones Fleur Beale
- Kiwis at War - 1918: Broken Poppies Des Hunt
Senior (young adult) fiction
-
Take Flight J L Pawley - Legacy Whiti Hereaka
- Flight of the Fantail Steph Matuku
- Ezaara: Riders of Fire, Book One Eileen Mueller
- Dragon Hero: Riders of Fire, Book Two Eileen Mueller
- Ash Arising Mandy Hager
- The Anger of Angels Sherryl Jordan
- Catch Me When You Fall Eileen Merriman
- The Rift Rachael Craw
Non-fiction
- New Zealand’s Backyard Beasts Ned Barraud
- Cook’s Cook: The Cook who Cooked for Captain Cook Gavin Bishop
- Go Girl: A Storybook of Epic NZ Women Barbara Else
- Oh Boy: A Storybook of Epic NZ Men Stuart Lipshaw
- Anzac Animals Maria Gill, illustrated by Marco Ivančić
- ART-TASTIC Sarah Pepperle
- Why is that Lake so Blue? A Children's Guide to New Zealand's Natural World Simon Pollard
- Mozart: The Man Behind the Music Donovan Bixley
- The New Zealand Wars Philippa Werry
- Pathway of the Birds, The Voyaging Achievements of Māori and their Polynesian Ancestors Andrew Crowe
Te Reo Māori
- Pūrakāu o Aotearoa: Te Hīnga Ake a Māui i te Ika Whenua Donovan Bixley, he mea whakamāori e Darryn Joseph, rāua ko Keri Opai.
-
Ngā Whetū Matariki i Whānakotia Miriamo Kamo, rāua ko Zak Waipara, nā Ngaere Roberts ngā kōrero i whakamāori
2018
Picture books
- What Are You Supposed to be? Paul Beavis
- Torty and the Soldier, Jennifer Beck & Fifi Colston
- , Jenny Bornholdt & Sarah Wilkin
- Ngā Tae / Colours, Kitty Brown & Kirsten Parkinson
- Scarface Claw, Hold Tight! Lynley Dodd
- That’s Not the Monster We Ordered, Richard Fairgray & Terry Jones
- If I had an Elephant, Richard Fairgray & Terry Jones
- The Curious Ar-Chew, Sarah Grundy, Ali Teo & John O’Reilly
- Inspector Brunswick: The Case of the Missing Eyebrow, Angela Keoghan & Chris Lam Sam
- Ambulance, Ambulance! Sally Sutton & Brian Lovelock
- It's My Egg (and You Can’t Have It), Kennedy Warne & Heather Hunt
The Longest BreakfastJunior fiction
- Flying Furballs: Most Wanted, Donovan Bixley
- Flying Furballs: Unmasked, Donovan Bixley
- Helper and Helper, Joy Cowley & Gavin Bishop
- , Stacy Gregg
- The Spaghetti Giraffe, Sarah Johnson & Deborah Hinde
- How Not to Stop a Kidnap Plot, Suzanne Main
- My New Zealand Story: Bastion Point, Tania Roxborogh
- Awatea’s Treasure, Fraser Smith
- Miniwings #1: Glitterwing’s Book Week Blunder, Sally Sutton & Kirsten Richards
The Thunderbolt PonySenior (young adult) fiction
- , Maurice Gee
- Flight Path, David Hill
- Zeustian Logic, Sabrina Malcolm
- Pieces of You, Eileen Merriman
- The Traitor and the Thief, Gareth Ward
The Severed LandNon-fiction
- New Zealand’s Great White Sharks: How science is revealing their secrets, Alison Ballance
- , Gavin Bishop
- Whose Feet are These?, Gillian Candler & Fraser Williamson
- Collins Field Guide to the New Zealand Seashore, Sally Carson & Rod Morris
- Abel Tasman: Mapping the Southern Lands, Maria Gill & Marco Ivancic
- Toroa's Journey, Maria Gill & Gavin Mouldey
- Sky High: Jean Batten’s Incredible Flying Adventures, David Hill & Phoebe Morris
- How to Mend a Kea + Other Fabulous Fix-it Tales from Wildbase Hospital, Janet Hunt
- Nature Storybooks: Gecko, Raymond Huber & Brian Lovelock
- Cook Islands Heroes, David Riley & Michel Mulipola
- Explore! Aotearoa, Bronwen Wall & Kimberly Andrews
Aotearoa: The New Zealand Story2017
Picture books
- If I was a Banana by Alexandra Tylee, illustrated by Kieran Rynhart
- Gwendolyn! by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Terri Rose Baynton
- Tuna and Hiriwa by Ripeka Takotowai Goddard, illustrated by Kimberly Andrews
- Maui – Sun Catcher by Tim Tipene, illustrated by Zak Waipara
- Gladys Goes to War by Glyn Harper, illustrated by Jenny Cooper
- Fuzzy Doodle by Melinda Szymanik, illustrated by Donovan Bixley
- Gorillas in our Midst by Richard Fairgray and Terry Jones
- Henry Bob Bobbalich by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Link Choi
- Witch’s Cat Wanted Apply Within by Joy H Davidson, illustrated by Nikki Slade-Robinson
- The Harmonica by Dawn McMillan, illustrated by Andrew Burdan
- Rasmas by Elizabeth Pulford, illustrated by Jenny Cooper
- The Best Dad in the World by Pat Chapman, illustrated by Cat Chapman
Junior fiction
- The Road to Ratenburg by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop
- Annual edited by Kate De Goldi and Susan Paris
- The Diamond Horse by Stacy Gregg
- Rona by Chris Szekely, illustrated by Josh Morgan
- Enemy Camp by David Hill
- The Impossible Boy by Leonie Agnew
- Grandad’s Wheelies by Jack Lasenby, illustrated by Bob Kerr
- Barking Mad by Tom E Moffatt
- Sunken Forest by Des Hunt
Senior (young adult) fiction
- Lonesome When You Go by Saradha Koirala
- Coming Home to Roost by Mary-anne Scott
Non-fiction
- See Play Do: A Kid’s Handbook for Everyday Creative Fun written and illustrated by Louise Cuckow
- Bruce Wants to Go Faster by Dreydon Sobanja, illustrated by Murray Dewhurst
- Armistice Day: the New Zealand Story by Philippa Werry
- Speed King: Burt Munro, the World’s Fastest Indian by David Hill, illustrated by Phoebe Morris
- Jack and Charlie: Boys of the Bush by Jack Marcotte
- The Beginner's Guide to Netball by Maria Tutaia
- Cricket with Kane Williamson by Kane Williamson
- The Cuckoo and the Warbler: A True New Zealand Story by Kennedy Warne, illustrated by Heather Hunt
- ANZAC Heroes by Maria Gill, illustrated by Marco Ivancic
- Much ado about Shakespeare written and illustrated by Donovan Bixley
2016
Picture books
- written and illustrated by Nikki Slade Robinson
- Roly the Anzac Donkey by Glyn Harper, illustrated by Jenny Cooper
- Henry's Stars written and illustrated by David Elliot
- Stripes! No, Spots! written and illustrated by Vasanti Unka
- First to the Top by David Hill, illustrated by Phoebe Morris
- Yak and Gnu by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Cat Chapman
- Finding Monkey Moon by Elizabeth Pulford, illustrated by Kate Wilkinson
- Hush: A Kiwi Lullaby by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Andrew Burdan
- Changing Times: The Story of a New Zealand Town and its Newspaper, written and illustrated by Bob Kerr
- Haka by Patricia Grace, illustrated by Andrew Burdan
Muddle & MoJunior fiction
- , by Sarah Johnson
- The Ghosts of Tarawera by Sue Copsey
- The Pirates & the Nightmaker by James Norcliffe
- From the Cutting Room of Barney Kettle by Kate De Goldi
- The Knot Impossible (A Tale of Fontana) by Barbara Else
- The Bakehouse by Joy Cowley
- The Girl Who Rode the Wind by Stacy Gregg
- How I Alienated my Grandma by Suzanne Main
- Cool Nukes by Des Hunt
- Lily Max – Satin, Scissors, Frock by Jane Bloomfield
The Bold Ship PhenomenalSenior (young adult) fiction
- Evie's War by Anna Mackenzie
- Being Magdalene by Fleur Beale
- Hucking Cody by Aaron Topp
- The Heading Dog Who Split in Half by Michael Brown, illustrated by Mat Tait
Non–fiction
- Jammin' with Steven Adams by David Riley
- Exploring Nature's Pattern Magic by Dee Pigneguy
- Samoan Heroes by David Riley, illustrated by Michel Mulipola
- Beginner's Guide to Rugby by Aaron Cruden
- Beginner's Guide to Adventure Sport by Steve Gurney
- Whose Beak is This? by Gillian Candler, illustrated by Fraser Williamson
- Waitangi Day: The New Zealand Story by Philippa Werry
2015
Picture books
-
Blackie the fisher cat by Janet Pereira, illustrated by Gabriella Klepatski - Have you seen a monster by Raymond McGrath
- Jim’s letters by Glyn Harper, illustrated by Jenny Cooper
- Kakapo dance by Helen Taylor
- I am not a worm by Scott Tulloch
- The song of Kauri by Melinda Szymanik, illustrated by Dominique Ford
- The Anzac puppy by Peter Millett, illustrated by Trish Bowles
- My New Zealand ABC book by James Brown
- My New Zealand Colours book by James Brown
- Construction by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock
Junior fiction
-
The volume of possible endings by Barbara Else - Island of lost horses by Stacy Gregg
- Conrad Cooper’s last stand by Leonie Agnew
- Teddy One Eye: the autobiography of a teddy bear by Gavin Bishop
- My New Zealand story: Harbour Bridge by Philippa Werry
- Monkey Boy by Donovan Bixley
- Trouble in time by Adele Broadbent
- The name at the end of the ladder by Elena De Roo
- Ophelia Wild, deadly detective by Elena De Roo
Senior (young adult) fiction
-
While we run by Karen Healey - Speed of light by Joy Cowley
- I am Rebecca by Fleur Beale
- Singing home the whale by Mandy Hager
- Spark by Rachael Craw
Non–fiction
- A little ABC book by Jenny Palmer
- Maori art for kids by Julie Noanoa, illustrated by Norm Heke
- Under the ocean: explore & discover the sea around New Zealand by Gillian Candler, illustrated by Ned Barraud
- The book of hat by Harriet Rowland
- New Zealand sports hall of fame: 25 kiwi champions by Maria Gill, illustrated by Marco Ivancic
- A treasury of NZ poems for children edited by Paula Green, illustrated by Jenny Cooper
- Ghoulish get-ups by Fifi Colston
- The letterbox cat & other poems by Paula Green, illustrated by Myles Lawford
- Piggy pasta & more food with attitude by Rebecca Woolfall and Suzi Tait-Bradly
- A New Zealand nature journal by Sandra Morris
