Six AUP books have been shortlisted for this year's PANZ Book Design Awards.
Congratulations to designers Alan Deare and Dave McDonald (Area Design), Arch and Jane MacDonnell (Inhouse), Neil Pardington, Amy Tansell and Duncan Munro for their stunning work.
The following AUP books have been shortlisted:
Penguin Random House New Zealand Award for Best Illustrated Book
- Atlas of the New Zealand Wars: Volume One 1834–1864, Early Engagements to the Second Taranaki War by Derek Leask (Auckland University Press). Designed by Alan Deare & Dave McDonald (Area Design)
- He Puāwai: A Natural History of New Zealand Flowers by Philip Garnock-Jones (Auckland University Press). Designed by Duncan Munro (Lucky Stairs Studio)
Award for Best Non-Illustrated Book
- The Origins of an Experimental Society: New Zealand, 1769–1860 by Erik Olssen (Auckland University
Press). Designed by Arch and Jane MacDonnell (Inhouse) - Tony Fomison: Life of the Artist by Mark Forman (Auckland University Press). Designed by Arch and
Jane MacDonnell (Inhouse)
PANZ Award for Best Education Book or Series — Secondary/Tertiary
- Mana Moana: Ngā Urungi o Te Ohu Kaimoana Toitū mō Anamata / Navigators of Sustainable Fisheries for the Future by Carla Houkamau and Robert Pouwhare (Auckland University Press). Cover designed by Neil Pardington Design, interiors designed by Tony Murrow and Amy Tansell (WordsAlive)
Te Papa Press Award for Best Typography
- Atlas of the New Zealand Wars: Volume One 1834–1864, Early Engagements to the Second Taranaki
War by Derek Leask (Auckland University Press). Designed by Alan Deare & Dave McDonald (Area
Design) - Chris Knox: Not Given Lightly by Craig Robertson (Auckland University Press). Designed by Alan
Deare & Dave McDonald (Area Design)
"The standard of entries this year was incredibly high and some difficult decisions had to be made to reach a shortlist,” said Convening Judge Erica Harrison.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Auckland on Thursday 24 September 2026.
To see the full shortlist, visit the PANZ Book Design Awards website.