Beautiful books are in the spotlight with the announcement of the finalists for the 2022 PANZ Book Design Awards.
The Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) established the awards to promote excellence in, and provide
recognition for, the best book design in New Zealand, a task that becomes more challenging for the judging panel every
year as the standard of entries grows ever higher.
A team of judges led by experienced bookseller Jenna Todd poured over more than 135 submissions. Jenna says picking the
standouts from such a strong field came down to the details, whether it was the legibility of the typography,
formatting, or the book’s usability in terms of being easy to hold and read.
“Overall, the books that rose to the occasion demonstrated considerate, sophisticated design choices. Gold, earthy
greens, warm whites and blacks were a common feature,” says Jenna. “We saw some brave innovations as well as books that
were brave in their restraint.”
Jenna’s fellow judges are editorial designer and writer Jenny Nicholls, Johnson Witehira, an artist, designer and
academic of Tamahaki and Ngāi Tū-te-auru descent, and William Chen who was founding art director at Metro magazine.
The judges all agreed the Scholastic New Zealand Award for Best Children’s Book was a particularly delightful category to examine, finding Aotearoa’s young readers are in very safe hands.
While there are established names aplenty on the shortlist, fresh design talent is also highlighted. Both finalists for
the Hachette Aotearoa NZ 2022 Emerging Designer are from HUIA Publishers, speaking to the Māori-owned independent publisher’s commitment to nurturing innovative design
talent.
The shortlist also shows the breadth and depth of creativity in the New Zealand publishing industry. There are books
from publishers right across the motu, spanning university presses, independent publishers, multi-nationals and
self-publishers.
The judges now face the difficult task of narrowing down the winners of the 10 categories and selecting the Gerard Reid Award for Best Book sponsored by Nielsen Book. The winners will be announced at a special ceremony in Auckland on 22 September where attendees will be able to vote for the Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand People’s Choice Award.
The industry’s design talent will assemble the next day for the PANZ Book Design Workshop which provides the opportunity
to dissect the awards, enjoy panel sessions led by leading book designers and network with peers.
The 2022 PANZ Book Design Awards Finalists are:
Penguin Random House New Zealand Award for Best Illustrated BookBill Hammond: Across the Evening Sky by Peter Vangioni with Tony de Lautour, Rachael King, Nic Low, Paul Scofield and Ariana Tikao (Christchurch Art Gallery
Te Puna o Waiwhetū). Designed by Aaron BeehreConversātiō — In the company of bees by Anne Noble with Zara Stanhope and Anna Brown (Massey University Press). Cover designed by Anna Brown & Matt Law. Interior designed by Anna BrownHe Ringatoi O Ngā Tūpuna by Hilary and John Mitchell (Potton & Burton). Designed by Floor van Lierop, This is ThemShifting Grounds: Deep Histories of Tāmaki Makaurau by Lucy Mackintosh (Bridget Williams Books). Cover designed by Keely O'Shannessy. Interior designed by Keely O'Shannessy & Katrina Duncan
Upstart Press Award for Best Non-Illustrated BookA Clear Dawn: New Asian Voices from Aotearoa New Zealand edited by Paula Morris and Alison Wong (Auckland University
Press). Cover designed by Keely O'Shannessy. Interior designed by Keely O'Shannessy with typesetting by Tina DelcegAcross the Pass: A collection of New Zealand tramping writing selected by Shaun Barnett (Otago University Press). Designed by Fiona Moffat.Rita Angus: An Artist's Life edited by Jill Trevelyan (Te Papa Press). Designed by Kate Barraclough, Kate Frances DesignTree Sense: Ways of thinking about trees edited by Susette Goldsmith (Massey University Press). Designed by Megan van Staden
Scholastic New Zealand Award for Best Children’s BookAtua: Māori Gods and Heroes by Gavin Bishop (Penguin Random House NZ). Designed by Vida & Luke Kelly, Vida & Luke Kelly DesignKoro by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press). Designed by Vida Kelly, Vida & Luke Kelly DesignMuki and Pickles by Ross Murray (Beatnik). Designed by Ross MurrayMy Cat Can See Ghosts by Emily Joe (Beatnik). Designed by Emily JoeThe Tiny Woman's Coat by Joy Cowley (Gecko Press). Designed by Vida Kelly, Vida & Luke Kelly Design
Lift Education Award for Best Education Book or Series — PrimaryInside New Zealand Wildlife by Dave Gunson (Bateman Books). Cover design by Dave Gunson & Alice Bell. Interior designed by Alice BellJillion 2 by New Zealand’s Young Writers and Artists (Toitoi Media Ltd). Cover designed by Vicki Birks. Interior designed by Kelvin Soh & Sam Wieck, DDMMYYWhy is That Spider Dancing? The Amazing Arachnids of Aotearoa by Simon Pollard and Phil Sirvid (Te Papa Press). Designed by Kate Barraclough, Kate Frances Design
Lift Education Award for Best Education Book or Series — Secondary/TertiarySocial Policy Practice and Processes in Aotearoa New Zealand edited by Graham Hassall and Girol Karacaoglu (Massey University Press). Cover designed by Tim Denee. Interior designed by Megan van StadenTūtira Mai: Making change in Aotearoa New Zealand edited by David Belgrave and Giles Dodson (Massey University Press). Designed by Kate Barraclough, Kate Frances Design
1010 Printing Award for Best CookbookHomecooked: Seasonal recipes for every day by Lucy Corry (Penguin Random House NZ).
Cover designed by Cat Taylor with original cover art by Evie Kemp. Interior designed by Cat TaylorSaffron Swirls & Cardamom Dust by Ashia Ismael-Singer (Bateman Books). Designed by Floor van Lierop, This is ThemSimply Food by Eleanor Ozich (Penguin Random House NZ). Designed by Katrina Duncan
Allen & Unwin Award for Best Commercial Book for AdultsHomegrown Happiness: A Kiwi Guide to Living Off the Suburban Land by Elien Lewis. Designed by Floor van Lierop, This is ThemHow to Survive the Modern World by Alain de Botton / The School of Life (The School of Life). Designed by Katie Kerr, Studio Katie KerrKurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka (HUIA Publishers). Designed by Te Kani Price and Camilla LauNUKU: Stories of 100 Indigenous Women by Qiane Matata-Sipu (QIANE+co). Designed by Linda Va'aelua, Fifty5 Creative. Creative Director Qiane Matata-Sipu, Quiane + coTimes Like These by Michelle Langstone (Allen & Unwin). Designed by Megan van Staden
HarperCollins Publishers Award for Best CoverConversātiō — In the company of bees by Anne Noble with Zara Stanhope and Anna Brown (Massey University Press). Cover designed by Anna Brown & Matt Law. Interior designed by Anna BrownKelcy Taratoa: Who Am I, Episode 001 by Warren Feeney, Te Reo translation by Heni Jacob (Quentin Wilson Publishing). Cover designed by Alan Deare, Area Design. Interior designed by Alan Deare & Dave McDonald, Area DesignKurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka (HUIA Publishers). Designed by Te Kani Price & Camilla LauThe Mirror Book by Charlotte Grimshaw (Penguin Random House NZ). Designed by Katrina DuncanRangikura by Tayi Tibble (Te Herenga Waka University Press). Designed by Xoë Hall
Te Herenga Waka University Press Award for Best TypographyAcross the Pass: A collection of New Zealand tramping writing selected by Shaun Barnett (Otago University Press). Designed by Fiona Moffat.Bill Hammond: Across the Evening Sky by Peter Vangioni with Tony de Lautour, Rachael King, Nic Low, Paul Scofield and Ariana Tikao (Christchurch Art Gallery
Te Puna o Waiwhetū). Designed by Aaron BeehreHe Ringatoi O Ngā Tūpuna by Hilary and John Mitchell (Potton & Burton). Designed by Floor van Lierop, This is ThemHei Taonga mā ngā Uri Whakatipu | Treasures for the Rising Generation by Wayne Ngata, Arapata Hakiwai, Anne Salmond, Conal McCarthy, Amiria Salmond, James Schuster, Billie Lythberg, John
Maihi, Sandra Nepia, Te Wheturere Poope Gray, Te Aroha McDonnell, Natalie Robertson (Te Papa Press). Designed by Area DesignMy Cat Can See Ghosts by Emily Joe (Beatnik). Designed by Emily Joe
2022 Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand Emerging Designer Award Finalists
Christine LingThe Greatest Haka Festival on Earth / Mokopuna Matatini by Pania Tahau-Hodges (HUIA Publishers)Falling into Rarohenga by Steph Matuku (HUIA Publishers)Stepping Up: COVID-19 Checkpoints and Rangatiratanga by Luke Fitzmaurice and Maria Bargh (HUIA Publishers)
Te Kani PriceMokopuna Matatini by Pania Tahau-Hodges (HUIA Publishers)Kurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka (HUIA Publishers)Butcherbird by Cassie Hart (HUIA Publishers)