VENUE: Chisnallwood Intermediate School Hall, 76-90 Breezes Road, Avondale, Christchurch 8061.

DATE/SESSION TIMES: Thursday 13 August, 10.00-11.30am

2026 FINALISTS APPEARING AT THIS EVENT ARE:

• Heather Haylock (Koro Wētā)
• Inangaro Vakaafi (Hunt for Niu Tupu)
• Toby Morris (Pūkeko Who-Keko?)

Author presentations will be followed by opportunities for book signings/meet and greets with finalist authors & illustrators.

To register your school group for the WORD Christchurch Books Alive event on Thursday 13 August please complete this online form or email booksalive@nzbookawards.org.nz.

All Books Alive events are FREE, but booking is essential. We encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure places for your school.

The 2026 Books Alive finalist event programme in Christchurch is being organised by the expert team at WORD Christchurch, alongside the New Zealand Book Awards Trust Te Ohu Tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa. It is supported by funding from Read NZ Te Pou Muramura.

For more information about the Books Alive programme, see https://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/books-alive/