Ngā Kōrero O Te Wā · Book News
The place to find news on the latest books, and links to interviews, articles, extracts and more.
Ngā Pukapuka Hou · New Books
Every week the kete team adds the latest books to help you find your next read.
Author: Chanelle Haffenden
Unfortunately this isn't a fairy tale, it’s a raw, gut-wrenching yet courageous memoir of a young woman I am proud to call my sister.
May 2024
Authors: Kathryn Burnett
Yearning to write but keep putting off starting? This book will help you figure out where you want to be, the steps you need to take to get there - and what's getting in your way.
March 2024
Authors: Leonard Lambert Publisher: Cold Hub Press
In this deft collection, Leonard Lambert confronts mortality with poems at once moving and artless. We walk with him down the long corridor of memory knocking at the occasional door: opening some and interrogating the interior, pausing thoughtfully before others, and--being the trickster poet he often is--knocking loudly at a few, then skipping away.
20 May 2024
Author: Niki Bezzant Publisher: Penguin Books
Every woman's honest, healthy guide to eating, moving and feeling your best - for the rest of your life. Feel your best - for the rest of your life. The essential new book from bestselling health writer and trusted menopause advocate Niki Bezzant, author of This Changes Everything.
Author: Trace Moroney Publisher: EQ Publications
Having a positive mindset is when we search for, see, and appreciate the good in life. This ;feel good' book describes what a positive mindset is, what it isn't, and how to cultivate and nurture a more positive attitude about ourselves and the world around us.
Author: Helen Lloyd, Pippa Keel Publisher: Te Papa Press
FUN ACTIVITIES ABOUT TE PAPA AND THE TAONGA IT HOLDS An accessible and engaging activity book to write, draw and colour in. Explore our world-famous national museum through 30 activities including colouring-in, dot-todot, word search puzzles, crosswords and more.
Author: Rita Riccola Publisher: Upstart Press
Life can be challenging and when we feel over-stimulated and disconnected it is costly to our wellbeing. Dreaming of what-ifs and maybes in the future, while regretting and being trapped by our past means we are distracted from living life in the moment. Mindfulness trains the mind to be observant and responsive to the many challenges we face every day.
Author: Maria Gill Publisher: Upstart Press
From award-winning writer Maria Gill, and illustrator Marco Ivancic, comes New Zealand's Endangered Dolphins. The North Island New Zealand dolphin (Popoto or Maui dolphin) is the most endangered dolphin in the world. The South Island New Zealand dolphin (Pahu or Hector's dolphin) is the smallest dolphin on the planet. Readers will learn more about these playful, intelligent and beautiful mammals…
Author: Robert Sullivan Publisher: Auckland University Press
After rejoining social media, Robert Sullivan wrote and posted a poem a day over two and a half months - the poems collected in Hopurangi-Songcatcher. Inspired by the cyclical energies of the Maramataka, these poems see the poet re-finding himself and his world…
9 May 2024
Authors: Harry Ricketts Publisher: Te Waka Herenga University Press
In First Things, Harry Ricketts chronicles his early life through the lens of 'firsts': those moments that can hold their detail and potency across a lifetime.
9 May 2024
Authors: Terence O’Brien Publisher: Te Waka Herenga University Press
Terence O'Brien was a born diplomat - urbane, clever, adaptable and hardworking, with a talent for strategy and negotiation. Although born in England, he was a loyal and dedicated New Zealander and spent most of his life working to improve the country's position internationally.
9 May 2024
Author: Tessa Keenan, Sadie Lawrence, romesh dissanayake Publisher: Auckland University Press
Distinctive, fresh and compellingly present, AUP New Poets 10 features three exciting new voices.
9 May 2024
Authors: Paul Moon Publisher: Te Papa Press
The photographer Ans Westra, who died in 2023, took hundreds of thousands of images over her long career. Together, those images constitute what is arguably a photo album of Aotearoa. Her dedication and determination sometimes came at a cost but she was focused and driven, overcoming a difficult childhood in the Netherlands and later complex adult relationships to forge her own path.
9 May 2024
Author: Rex Letoa Paget Publisher: Saufo’i Press
Manuali'i - Bird of the Gods - is an anchor to ancestors and to self. These poems are reminders of who you come from and who you are; compasses to constant new becomings. Questions for timekeepers and connections to universal powers. Being guided by messengers of the sky. Dancing on the delicate tightrope of here, the past, and an imagined future, Manuali'i dives into the heart of grief and loss and love; wraps a tongue around the soft grooves of Samoan words; and rides off into the distance on a Triumph Bonneville. In this dreamy debut, Rex Paget will have you reminiscing on past loves; dancing in the rain; and appreciating the depth and range of human emotion and connection.
9 May 2024
Authors: Keith Newman Publisher: Oratia Books
The Ratana movement gains national coverage every February as politicians make the pilgrimage to its headquarters near Whanganui, yet the history and workings of the religion are less widely recognised. In this new edition of his standard biography, Keith Newman reveals the life and times of Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana and the movement he founded in 1918…
7 May 2024
Author: Xanthe White Publisher: Penguin Books
The bestselling, expert guide to growing your own vegetables organically. In this classic bestseller, expert landscape designer Xanthe White takes readers by the hand and walks them from backyard bombsite to productive vegetable garden in a single year.
May 2024 release
Author: Mandy Hager Publisher: One Tree House
Eighteen-year-old Grace has struggled all her life with her place in this family and in the world. Obviously of Asian descent, she has been unable to get the truth about her parentage from her mother, a woman who is struggling with her own demons, that date back to her life in Taiwan where she survived an earthquake while giving birth to Grace. The two were evacuated back to New Zealand, never to return
9 May 2024
Author: Roanne Barnes Hautapu Publisher: Atuanui Press
In 2013 Quinn Hautapu presented to hospital with the seemingly minor symptom of a limp arm, within a short time she was on a Life Flight to Wellington to work out the cause of a massive bleed on the brain. She was seven years old. A month later, after brain surgery and numerous scans, the Hautapu family was given the shocking news that Quinn had brain cancer. What followed was 12 months of the most intense, emotional and difficult time that a family can experience.
Author: Raewyn Peart Publisher: David Bateman
In 1971, there was little in the way of protection for Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural heritage. Progress was the imperative for government and councils, with the land, rivers and coasts simply seen as resources to be exploited. This is the story of how a small organisation took on the establishment and won.
Author: Scott Bainbridge Publisher: David Bateman
Did New Zealand have a secret poisoner? In 1992, builders demolishing a Devonport home stumbled across a skeleton, triggering an investigation that sent shockwaves across the community. The remains belonged to a woman who had died in the 1930s, and whispers soon emerged of the deadly legacy of Nurse Elspeth Kerr.
Author: Madeleine Slavick Publisher: Cuba Press
Welcome to 'Town', fifty stories and fifty images by writer and photographer Madeleine Slavick, who lived in Hong Kong for almost twenty-five years before moving to a Wairarapa country road that runs from state highway to bush.
Author: Sue Heazlewood Publisher: Auckram Publishing
24 Tea Party Recipes for children, ages 2-12, can learn to prepare.
Author: Jessica Galatoa Publisher: Exisle
'You may not have thought much about it, but did you know that some families change? Some get bigger, others smaller and some completely rearrange!'
Changes in the structure of a family can be joyful, turbulent, and especially confusing for little humans.
Author: Dario Nustrini Publisher: HarperCollins New Zealand
When new recruit Dario Nustrini's head was freshly shaved in preparation for the army, he knew nothing about what training to fight, kill and die for New Zealand would look like. Since leaving leaving high school the year before, he had been on a steady diet of spliffs, Speights and the occasional sandwich from the cafe he worked at as a waiter…
Author: Penelope Todd Publisher: Cloud Ink Press
Nell is born to a new century, her early life forged in the freedoms of the NZ high country. Her own freedom is tested: by family expectation, by husband Herb's pride, by the rigours of family life on a Maniototo sheep station.
1 May 2024
Author: Yvonne Morrison Publisher: Scholastic
A must-have collection of three best-selling and favourite New Zealand wildlife and habitat stories, from deep in the day and nighttime forests of Aotearoa to out in the wild, blue moana.
Author: Deano Yipadee Publisher: Scholastic
When the tractor wheel jolts off the edge of the bridge, Tom finds himself in a precarious situation. Enter Nee Naw's mate, Moto Mike, who swiftly takes action and saves the day.
Author: Miriama Kamo Publisher: Scholastic
Join Sam and Te Rerehua as they prepare a Matariki feast! It's the day before Matariki and a big feast has been prepared. Eeling took place months ago and Te Rerehua and Sam are excited…
Author: Matthew Scobie, Anna Sturman Publisher: Bridget Williams Books
What do the economics of decolonisation mean for the future of Aotearoa? This question drives the work of Matthew Scobie and Anna Sturman as they explore the complex relationship between tangata whenua and capitalism.
Ngā Pitopito Kōrero · News
What’s going on in the Aotearoa book world? Keep up to date with the latest on books, events, awards and more.
What are you looking forward to at the Auckland Writers Festival? We interviewed seven festival authors from Aotearoa on their sessions and the sessions that they’re most looking forward to. Read what they had to say!
Nine Girls takes the lead for April! Take a look at the ten bestselling Aotearoa junior fiction and young adult books for 24 March to 20 April 2024.
View this week’s bestselling Aotearoa NZ adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children’s books (14 to 20 April 2024).
We’re delighted to announce that writer, reviewer and WORD Festival Programme Director Kiran Dass is set to join Kete as Editor in Chief in September. We’re also excited to announce that writer and reviewer Erica Stretton, fresh from running National Poetry Day, has taken on Kete’s interim editorship.
This week’s giveaway is a two-book prize pack for outdoor enthusiasts: a copy of Tramping in New Zealand and Tongariro National Park: an artist’s field guide ! We also announce the winner of last week’s giveaway: Amma.
Here they are the this week’s bestselling Aotearoa NZ adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children’s books (7 to 13 April 2024).
This week’s giveaway is the ‘evocative’ and ‘lush’ Amma by Saraid de Silva! We also announce the winner of last week’s giveaway: The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna.
Māori owned, independent publisher HUIA was named the Children’s Publisher of the Year for Oceania at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair this week. The award is in recognition of a publisher whose books stand out for their creativity, innovation and the quality of their editorial choices.
The 2024 Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day was held on Sunday and included the presentation of the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal to Elizabeth Jones and the announcement of the winners of the 2024 Storylines manuscript and illustration awards.
View the week’s bestselling Aotearoa NZ adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children’s books (31 March to 6 April 2024).
Take a look at the week’s bestselling Aotearoa NZ adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children’s books (24 to 30 March 2024).
The March list is in! Take a look at the ten bestselling Aotearoa junior fiction and young adult books for 25 February to 23 March 2024.
This week’s giveaway would make a great read for the long weekend! We have a copy of The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna to giveaway. We also announce the winners of last fortnight’s prize draw for a copy of Ngā Kaihanga Uku: Māori Clay Artists.
Mark your calendars! This year’s nationwide celebration of poetry is scheduled for Friday 23 August. Registrations and seed funding applications are now open, and event organisers across the motu are encouraged to get involved!
Not-for-profit organisation Copyright Licensing New Zealand is launching MyCreativeRights, a new platform to help Aotearoa New Zealand's creatives better manage their intellectual property.
Books Alive – the programme of large-scale events that bring hundreds of kids at a time in touch with finalist authors in the annual New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults (NZCYA) – will expand to a third regional centre in 2024, thanks to funding from literature sector supporter, the Mātātuhi Foundation.
Do you know, or are you a bookseller superstar? Hachette Aotearoa wants to send one brilliant bookseller to the 2024 Auckland Writers Festival – one of the highlights of the NZ literary scene.
The 2024 Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize is open and this year local illustrators are invited to bring The Great Man-Eating Shark to life with colour, adventure and humour.
The NZ Booklovers Award winners were announced today. Books by Nick Davies, Eileen Merriman, David Hill, Sacha Cotter, Carlos Lehnebach, Claire Regnault, Rebecca Rice, Isaac Te Awa and Rachel Yates were named winners of the 2024 awards.
Just in time for Easter, this week’s bestsellers list is out! Take a look at the bestselling Aotearoa NZ adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children’s books (17 to 23 March 2024).
This week’s bestsellers list is out! Take a look at the bestselling Aotearoa NZ adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children’s books (10 to 16 March 2024).
Take a look at the brilliant books in this year’s Māori Books | Ngā Pukapuka Māori and Pasifika Books catalogues. These two catalogues bring together an exciting range of recent and forthcoming Māori and Pasifika Books.
This week to celebrate the release of the Pasifika Books and Māori Books | Ngā Pukapuka Māori catalogues we have a copy of Ngā Kaihanga Uku: Māori Clay Artists to give away. We also announce the winners of last fortnight’s prize draw for a copy Feijoa: a story of obsession and belonging.
While we can’t do justice to the incredible programme of writers at this year’s Auckland Writers Festival in one short article, we’ve rolled up our sleeves and had a go. Here’s a small sample of the local talent involved in the discussions and dialogue at this year’s festival.
This week’s bestsellers list is out! Take a look at the bestselling Aotearoa NZ adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children’s books (3 to 9 March 2024).
The Aotearoa Bestsellers list is out! Take a look at the bestselling NZ adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children’s books (25 February to 2 March 2024).
What a list for February! Take a look at the ten bestselling Aotearoa junior fiction and young adult books for 28 January to 24 February.
The Aotearoa Bestsellers list is out! Take a look at the bestselling NZ adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children’s books (19 to 24 February 2024).
Ngā Tuhinga, ngā Tuhingaroa, ngā Uiui, me Ētahi Atu mea ·
Articles, Essays, Interviews and More
A collection of new and interesting offerings: essays, interviews, articles, extracts and the occasional piece of poetry or prose.
What do Take Two, The Last Secret Agent and Nine Girls have in common? They’re all topping this week’s Aotearoa NZ bestsellers list for their category! Find out what else is on this week’s list (21 to 27 April 2024)!