Ardern, Latta make Whitcoulls Top 100 books list, but fantasy dominates
The 2026 Whitcoulls Top 100 Books list features a record number of New Zealand authors, though fantasy remains the most popular genre among readers. Notable local figures like Dame Jacinda Ardern and the late Nigel Latta are included, while international fantasy series dominate the top spots.
Why it matters
The list serves as a barometer for current literary trends and the growing influence of local voices in the New Zealand publishing market.
Twenty-six New Zealand writers have made the 2026 Whitcoulls Top 100 Books List – the strongest showing in its nearly 30-year history. Among the Kiwis to make the list are late clinical psychologist Nigel Latta, former prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern and TVNZ Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver. "This year, we not only received a record number of votes, but the popularity of local authors is at an all-time high compared to previous years," Whitcoulls book manager Joan Mackenzie said. Mackenzie put the results down to readers' voracious appetites for voices and stories Kiwis can relate to. Newcomers also had a strong showing, with Mackenzie adding that the “major refresh suggests readers’ dynamic engagement with books and reading”. Fantasy was the most popular among readers, with Rebecca Yarros’s romance fantasy series Empyrean receiving the most votes for the second year in a row.
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