The New Zealand Book Awards Trust has today signed a contract with the New Zealand Book Council to administer the prestigious New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in 2016.

The New Zealand Book Council will take over administration from Booksellers NZ, although the latter will remain involved through membership of the Book Awards Trust and by providing financial support.

For more than 40 years The New Zealand Book Council has delivered programmes which highlight the breadth and quality of New Zealand writing. It has also supported a future generation of readers and writers through its flagship Writers in Schools programme. This new partnership will combine its expertise and knowledge with the country’s prestigious awards for books for young people.

Nicola Legat, Chair of the New Zealand Book Awards Trust, said that the Trust was sorry to be ending the long time and highly valued administrative relationship with Booksellers New Zealand. ‘But we have also worked with the Book Council for many years and know they will do an excellent job for us. We put several new initiatives in place in 2015, and look forward to enhancing the awards even further next year.’

Peter Biggs, Chair of the New Zealand Book Council said, “The New Zealand Book Council is delighted to be working with the New Zealand Book Awards Trust to help deliver the 2016 Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. We know that reading changes lives, and we are looking forward to being a part of this unique showcase, celebrating the books that really matter to Kiwi children.”

Calls for expressions of interest in being a judge of the 2016 awards have just closed, and the call for entries opens on November 16.

The New Zealand Book Council will also administer 2016 National Poetry Day. The Auckland Writers Festival administers the New Zealand Book Awards on behalf of the Book Awards Trust.