For the first time a bilingual book has taken out the coveted top spot at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults - Te Wehenga: The Separation of Ranginui and Papatuanuku by Mat Tait won the 2023 Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award. Te Wehenga’s stunning bilingual design presents the Maori creation purakau, explaining the beginning of the world, in a way that incorporates universal elements understood and recognised across iwi. The beautifully poetic hardcover book, which tells the story simultaneously in te reo Maori and English, is woven into the artwork, creating an interactive experience that draws the reader into the darkness of the space between Papatuanuku and Ranginui.
Other category winners for the 2023 awards include The Lighthouse Princess by Susan Wardell and illustrated by Rose Northey winner of the NZSA Best First Book Award, A Portrait of Leonardo by Donovan Bixley winner of the Russell Clark Award for Illustration, and Below by David Hill winner of the Junior Fiction Award.
A fundamental aspect of the Awards is encouraging a love of reading in New Zealand’s tamariki and rangitahi by encourage children and young people to explore the wonderful range of New Zealand book titles available. In 2023 primary, intermediate, and secondary schools from across the motu were enlisted to offer feedback to the judges on the titles submitted and help shape the awards.