1st

Sovereign Chief: A Biography of Baron de Thierry by J. D. Raeside (Caxton Press, 1977)

2nd

John A. Lee by Erik Olssen (University of Otago Press, 1977)

3rd

The Boy, The Bridge, The River by Vincent O'Sullivan (McIndoe, 1978)

Poetry

Spells for Coming Out by Ian Wedde (Auckland University Press, 1977)

Poetry

How to Take Your Clothes Off at the Picnic by Bill Manhire (Wai-te-ata Press, 1977)

Fiction

The Time of the Achamoth by M. K. Joseph (Collins, 1977)

Non-Fiction

Te Puea: A Biography by Michael King (Hodder & Stoughton, 1977)