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13 May 2026$12.74 - $41.80
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First up is the presentation of the Mātātuhi Foundation Best First Book awards. Then, guided by MC Miriama Kamo (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga), the judges will announce the winners of the General Non-Fiction Award, the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry, the BookHub Award for Illustrated Non-Fiction, and finally the $65,000 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction. You will also hear from all the finalists. This is the night to discover, applaud and be immersed in New Zealand’s best writing. All welcome!
Finalists
General Non-Fiction Award: Jacinda Ardern; Naomi Arnold; Peta Carey; Tina Makereti (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangatahi-Matakore, Pākehā)
Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry: Nafanua Purcell Kersel (Satupa‘itea, Faleālupo, Aleipata, Tuaefu); Sophie van Waardenberg; Erik Kennedy; Anna Jackson
BookHub Award for Illustrated Non-Fiction: Charlotte Macdonald; Philip Garnock-Jones; Sarah Farrar; Elizabeth Cox
Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction: Ingrid Horrocks; Laura Vincent (Ngāti Māhanga, Ngāpuhi); Sam Mahon; Catherine Chidgey
Note: This session can be included in Ticket Bundles selections.
Proudly part of the Auckland Council whānau
Local tip
He tīwhiri mō te rohe
Check out the sculpture of celebrated Kiwi opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa which sits on Level 3 of the Aotea Centre. It was created by local artist Terry Stringer and unveiled by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa herself when the auditorium was named in her honour in 2019.
Getting there
Te huarahi ki reira
The Aotea Centre is a short walk up Queen Street from Waitematā Station, and the Civic car park is conveniently located beside the venue if you’re driving.
More info
He pārongo atu anō
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