November 11, 2015
Reo prize part of book award merger


Oh Hell. There's now only one children’s book award with merger of the New Zealand Book Awards Trust and the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa competitions.
The new awards have a combined prize pool of $59,500, and they will be complemented by the Hell New Zealand Reading Challenge sponsored by Hell Pizza.
Library Association president Kris Wehipeihana says it's a great way to promote New Zealand writing for children and the encourage children to read.
She's also excited the Te Kura Pounamu award for best book in te reo Maori is included.
"Language helps keep a culture alive and shifting or including Te Kura Pounamu Award for excellence written by a Maori author or translated or illustrated is going to help us celebrate that as well," Ms Wehipeihana says.
Entries for this year's New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults open on Monday, and the awards ceremony will held be in Wellington in August 2016
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