The $55,000 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction will be judged by author, journalist and reviewer Mark Broatch; short story and non-fiction writer Nic Low (Ngāi Tahu); and independent bookseller Chris Baskett. They will be joined in deciding the ultimate winner from their shortlist of four by award-winning Australian (Wiradjuri) writer Tara June Winch.

The Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry will be judged by poet and publisher Kiri Piahana-Wong; Ockham New Zealand Book Awards shortlisted poet Tim Upperton; and general manager of University Book Shop Otago Phillippa Duffy.

Judging the General Non-Fiction award will be Hocken Librarian Sharon Dell; bookseller, reviewer and practising artist Stella Chrysostomou; and broadcast and print journalist Guyon Espiner.

The Illustrated Non-Fiction Award will be judged by publishing tutor at Whitireia Odessa Owens; independent critic, editor and author Lana Lopesi; and writer and arts advisor Hamish Coney.