Independent Kiwi publisher garners international award at the world’s largest children’s book fair
West Auckland publishing house Oratia Media has won the BOP Bologna Prize as Best Children’s Publisher of the Year 2021,
Oceania, at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy.
Oratia had been shortlisted in the Oceania section alongside four outstanding Australian publishers at this year’s
virtual fair. The prestigious BOP prize is awarded each year to publishers from six regions ‘for the creative nature of
the editorial choices they have made during the previous year.’
The prize was announced in an online ceremony hosted in Bologna by the fair’s Exhibition Manager Elena Pasoli, President
of the International Publishers Association Bodour Al Qasimi, and Italian Publishers Association President Ricardo
Franco Levi.
Oratia was cited as ‘an eclectic publishing house from New Zealand with a strong focus on high-quality editing, design,
and printing.’
‘We are honoured to receive the BOP Bologna Prize, which is a great tribute to our team, authors, illustrators, editors,
designers and other partners, and especially to Editorial Director Carolyn Lagahetau,’ commented Oratia Media publisher
Peter Dowling.
‘New Zealand publishes amazing children’s books and this award can only raise international awareness of the creative
talent here.’
Follow these links to the ceremony and BOP Prize winner profile:
About Oratia Media – www.oratia.co.nz
Oratia Media is an independent publisher of mostly New Zealand authors, with a focus on children’s, Māori, history and
illustrated books. In 2021 Oratia Books brings 15 new titles to publication, half of which are children’s (mostly
picture books). Our publishing reflects a multicultural, inclusive outlook, with many bilingual books in English and te
reo Māori.