The organisers of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are inviting expressions of interest from members and followers of the children’s literature community who would like to be considered as judges of the 2025 awards.

Applications to judge are now open to all those with suitable qualifications and experience, and will close on 31 October.

Awards are given in six categories: Picture Book, Junior Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction, Illustration and te Reo Māori. A total of five judges will be appointed for the English and bilingual categories and a further three judges will deliberate Te Kura Pounamu category, for books written entirely in, or translated entirely into, te reo Māori.

The judges also award a Best First Book prize to a previously unpublished author or illustrator. Applications are welcomed from both the children’s literature community and members of the public with relevant experience. Past judges have included authors, librarians, booksellers, publishers, kaiako, academics, reviewers and bloggers. The organisers encourage expressions of interest for both panels from applicants with a deep knowledge of te ao Māori and te reo Māori, fluency being essential for those judging Te Kura Pounamu entries.

Nicola Legat, chair of the New Zealand Book Awards Trust Te Ohu Tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa, which governs the awards, says that while the task of judging is without doubt a significant responsibility, it is fulfilling and important mahi.

“This is a great gig for lovers of literature for children and young adults,” says Maia Bennett (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Tūwharetoa), convenor of the 2024 judges and a public and secondary school librarian. “Summer reading is sorted with over 160 entries – ranging from charming picture books to challenging young adult fiction – to read critically, discuss and debate. Judging panels are selected to bring diverse perspectives to the decision-making, ensuring a robust process as they collectively choose the best books for our young readers.

”The English language judges will select up to five finalists in each of five subject categories and also up to five Best First Book finalists, then a winner in each category. Te reo Māori panel will also select up to five finalists (from approximately 15 entries) and Te Kura Pounamu winners. Both panels will be responsible for deciding on the supreme winner to be awarded the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year.

Entries for the 2025 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults will open on 20 November 2024 and the judges will begin their reading in mid-December. They reveal their finalists in early June 2025 and the awards event will be held mid-August in Wellington.

Expressions of interest forms and background information on the judging process and judges’ responsibilities can be downloaded from the New Zealand Book Awards Trust website or supplied on request by emailing childrensawards@nzbookawards. org.nz.

Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Thursday 31 October, and should include a covering letter and a brief resume that demonstrates the applicant’s experience and suitability for the judging role.

The judging panels will be selected by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust, which includes representatives from the Publishers Association of New Zealand; the New Zealand Society of Authors; LIANZA Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa, the association for library and information professionals in New Zealand; and Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand.

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