Enter to Win All 16 Shortlisted Books for the 2026 Ockham Awards

ReadingRoom is hosting an exciting contest for literature enthusiasts, offering a chance to win all 16 books shortlisted for the 2026 Ockham New Zealand National Book Awards. The giveaway features a collection of renowned titles valued at over $1,000. One winner will receive this exceptional assortment, which includes illustrated works, novels, poetry, and nonfiction. The shortlist was announced on March 15, 2026, showcasing the best of New Zealand literature.

Details of the Contest

In its fourth annual contest, ReadingRoom invites readers to nominate their favourite New Zealand book published in 2025. Participants are encouraged to share a brief explanation of their choice, which can be selected from the shortlist or any eligible book from that year. The author of the book receiving the most nominations will earn the title of the People’s Choice Award winner during the awards ceremony on May 13, 2026.

Among the shortlisted titles is The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey, a leading contender for the $65,000 fiction prize and the best-selling New Zealand novel of 2025. Other notable nominations include the memoir by former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, A Different Kind of Power, and the cookbook Nourish by Chelsea Winter. This year’s shortlist includes:

• The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey
• All Her Lives by Ingrid Horrocks
• Hoods Landing by Laura Vincent
• How to Paint a Nude by Sam Mahon
• Black Sugarcane by Nafanua Purcell Kersel
• No Good by Sophie van Waardenberg
• Sick Power Trip by Erik Kennedy
• He Puāwai: A Natural History of New Zealand Flowers by Philip Garnock-Jones
• Garrison World by Charlotte Macdonald
• Mark Adams: A Survey – He Kohinga Whakaahua by Sarah Farrar
• Mr Ward’s Map: Victorian Wellington Street by Street by Elizabeth Cox

Nominating Your Favourite Book

To participate, readers must submit their nominations by midnight on April 26, 2026. Nominations can be sent via email to [email protected] with the subject line “I WANT TO WIN ALL 16 BOOKS SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2026 OCKHAM NZ AWARDS PLEASE.” The contest allows for creative expression, as there is no strict word limit for the explanations. Participants are encouraged to articulate their appreciation for the chosen book, whether through wit or heartfelt sentiment.

This initiative has generated significant interest in previous years, with past winners such as Marina Lathouraki and Damien Holder celebrating their literary achievements. Winning this contest is not only about the prize but also about community engagement and recognition within the New Zealand literary scene. As the date approaches, ReadingRoom encourages early submissions to enhance the likelihood of winning.

The competition promises to be fierce this year, with titles like Before the Winter Ends by Khadro Mohamed also capturing readers’ attention. With a variety of genres and themes represented, there is something for every book lover to champion.

As the countdown to the Ockham Awards continues, literature enthusiasts are invited to join in the celebration of New Zealand’s vibrant literary culture. Good luck to all participants as they prepare to make their voices heard!