Te Herenga Waka University Press

@thwupbooks

Aotearoa's leading publisher of new fiction, poetry and nonfiction. Formerly Victoria University Press.

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Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· 7d

Praise poem by Sam Duckor-Jones. Pre-order here: teherengawakapress.co.nz/products/glo... Book credits: Design by Megan van Staden. Photography by Jase Blair, with additional photography by Sam Duckor-Jones and friends.

Praise for Sam

'Bloody fantastic' - broadcasters
'Blisteringly good' - bloggers
'Gorgeous' - bornholdts

'An acute sensitivity to ordinary beauty'- editors
'Relentlessly cheerful' - interviewers
'Unafraid' - laureates

'An arrogant prick' - family member
'Hates everything' - family members
'Not actually very tall' - former boyfriend

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· 7d

Inside these pink and gold covers, Sam wrestles with solitude, religion, intimacy, art and identity. He finds community in fellow artists and friendly locals, and solace in the rhythms of a quiet life. This is a manifesto for play and pleasure, and the story of an artist’s being.

Parishioners see themselves in the book for the first time...

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· 7d

In 2020 sculptor and poet Sam Duckor-Jones bought an abandoned church in Greymouth and named her Gloria. With yarn-bombed rafters, a costume bazaar, a plush loft, papier-mâché parishioners and pink neon light bouncing off a rhinestone piano, Gloria became a celebration of queer creativity.

The author dances inside the pink church in a pink feather dress and headdress, below a neon light reading 'Gloria'

The pink book inside the pink yarn-bombed church.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· 7d

Gloria of Greymouth meets Gloria of Greymouth! We are thrilled to be publishing this beautiful chronicle of Gloria’s establishment – coming 22 October 2026.

A pink hardback book with 'Gloria of Greymouth. Sam Duckor-Jones' in gold foil on the front is held up in front of a pink church with a blue sky behind it.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· 22d

Join us to launch kluge, a new novel from pip adam! The event will include readings from Kerry Donovan Brown, Always Becominging and Brannavan Gnanalingam. 👁️ Friday 14 August, 6pm 👁️ Aro Valley Community Centre, Wellington 👁️ Free event – all welcome! More info here: www.facebook.com/share/1QZcaW...

a bright green tile with a picture of the book cover (which is illustrated with a large eye), and the event info: 'Join us for the launch of kluge by pip adam, Friday 14 August, 6pm, Aro Community Centre'

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jul 9

Congratulations to Haro Lee, on the publication today of her unforgettable debut poetry collection! 💜 In Watching Television in a Love Motel, television – like love – binds us and liberates us; inspires, infuriates and illuminates us.

Watching Television in a Love Motel by Haro Lee

Reasons Against Childbirth, a poem from the collection.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jul 9

Happy publication day, Airini! Salt Quilt is a stunning new work from Airini Beautrais that is fully present, sharp-witted and self-aware. We're proud to be a part of putting this work out into the world 💜

'Beautrais writes with a luminous, matter-of-fact intelligence about life's disappointments, and also life's consolations... with a level of care and attention that is in its own way a kind of liberation.' - Noelle McCarthy

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jul 1

If you're around Whanganui next week, be sure to join this celebration of Salt Quilt, a new collection from Airini Beautrais! There will be a reading by Airini and a talk by Lesley Stead of Paige’s Book Gallery, and the quilt from the book's cover will be on display during the event.

Join us for the launch of Salt Quilt. Thursday 9 July, 5.30pm. Davis Lecture Theatre, Whanganui Regional Museum

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jun 25

Join us to celebrate the publication of Watching Television in a Love Motel, an unforgettable first book of poetry by Haro Lee. The book will be launched by Jenna Todd. 💜 Friday 17 July, 6pm 💜 Upstairs at Time Out Bookstore: 432 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 💜 Free event — all welcome!

A purple tile says 'Join us for the launch of Watching Television in a Love Motel. Friday 17 July, 6pm, upstairs at Time Out' and includes an image of the book, and Time Out and THWUP's logos.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jun 21

🐎 Coming 13 August 2026! It Gets in Your Blood: Lives of a Racecourse, by Marty Smith.

The book cover shows a blue sky and the top of a brown horse's head with a rein on and ears pricked. It says 'Marty Smith. It Gets in your Blood: Lives of a Racecourse.'

on a blue background, green text reads: 'come for a ride with me and see what I see, down in the dirt and sweat and horseshit, right in the belly of the work of a racing stable. These are my real people.'

the author is shown sitting in the stands of a racecourse. she is wearing a green and white striped dress and a scarf, smiling and holding a pair of binoculars.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jun 19

John Summers’ worst nightmare is getting lost in the bush. Death lurks at the edge of his fear, as well as cold, hunger, loneliness and humiliation. But what is the experience of being lost in the New Zealand bush actually like? Green Sea: Lost in the New Zealand Bush is out on 10 September 2026.

The book cover is shown. It is a photo of a green tree canopy from above, and says 'Green Sea: Lost in the New Zealand Bush. John Summers.'

A quote: 'a compelling investigation into human vulnerability in the face of nature's indifference. Haunting, absorbing, and deeply close to home.' - Naomi Arnold, author of Northbound.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jun 18

Perfectly Themselves by Abby Letteri is out 10 September in a beautiful illustrated hardback. Part memoir, part travel narrative, this is an immersive exploration of horses living freely in their own social worlds—from Aotearoa to Iceland and Mongolia. @abbyletteri.bsky.social

The cover of the book shows three brown horses on a hilltop, facing the sunrise, and reads 'Perfectly Themselves. Horses in the Human World. Abby Letteri.'

‘This book had my heart from the very first chapter. . . It has even changed my relationships with my own horses.’
—Ali Mau

‘Endlessly illuminating and
stunningly told, this book
changes the way we see horses.’
—Damien Wilkins

‘An extraordinary book—at once earthy and lyrical. I couldn’t
put it down.’
—Rebecca Priestley

‘A beautifully crafted
personal narrative, deeply felt, that explores how we see horses and in doing so, hopefully,
challenges how we treat them.’
—Professor Natalie Waran, OBE

The author Abby is shown (a pakeha woman with long grey hair and black glasses), her hand on the chin of a smiling brown horse.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jun 4

Another date for your diary: Join us to launch Insuring the Future, a vital work by Jonathan Boston on home insurance in the context of accelerating climate-related risks. Launch speeches by Mayor Andrew Little and Prof Bryony James, incoming Vice-Chancellor of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University.

Tile reads:
Join us for the launch of Insuring the Future
Wednesday 24 June, 6pm
Unity Books Wellington

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jun 3

Not long now! We can't wait to celebrate NOVA with you. The book will be launched by pip adam. 🪐 Tuesday 9 June, 6pm 🪐 Unity Books Wellington 🪐 Free event – all welcome!

A static-y black and white background with a photo of the book cover, which is a static-y orange with a purple planet at its centre and says 'NOVA TIM CORBALLIS.' The text reads 'Join us for the launch of NOVA, Tuesday 9 June, 6pm, Unity Books Wellington.'

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jun 3

🎉 The news is out: The Starving Bride by Catherine Chidgey is on its way! We’re delighted to reveal this gorgeous cover, and to share a glimpse of the process behind it, with artwork by Max Thompson and design by Todd Atticus.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Jun 2

We join communities across Aotearoa in honouring the legacy of Tā Hirini Moko Mead, a distinguished scholar, writer and visionary leader in te ao Māori.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· May 28

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· May 19

The team at Te Herenga Waka University Press are sad to farewell Sir Kenneth Keith ONZ KBE PC KC, who passed away on 13 May. It was an honour to publish his memoir, Without Fear or Favour: A Life in Law in 2025. It's an account of a distinguished career, lived generously and intelligently.

Here is Sir Ken pictured with an oil painting by Marike Bok of him in his in International Court of Justice robes.

A photo of Ken and his good friend Sir Geoffrey Palmer together at Vic Books, where they had a longstanding daily coffee date.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· May 15

We are absolutely delighted for Tina Makereti, Nafanua Purcell Kersel and Ingrid Horrocks after their success at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2026 🎉 www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-...

Against the Ockham Book Awards background, Jasmine Sargent, Ingrid Horrocks and Fergus Barrowman smile for a photo with a copy of Ingrid's book, All Her Lives.

Tina Makereti smiles up at publisher Fergus Barrowman, holding a copy of her book This Compulsion in Us

Nafanua Purcell Kersel hides a giggle behind a copy of her book, Black Sugarcane, beside publisher Fergus Barrowman.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Apr 29

Not long now! Join us for the Wellington launch of Lucky Creatures, a brilliant debut essay collection by Joseph Trinidad. The book will be launched by Mikee Sto Domingo. 🌟 Monday 11 May, 6pm 🌟 Unity Books Wellington 🌟 Free entry — all welcome!

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Apr 23

We're so looking forward to celebrating New Days for Old tonight at Unity Books Wellington! Scroll through to see some of the things that critics have been saying about the book... Congratulations James, on another fantastic collection 🎉

The book cover shows the title in a collage style, on a musical stave. It says 'New days for old. Prose poems. James Brown.'

'A quietly ambitious work that transforms the smallest moments into something luminous.' — Chris Reed, NZ Booklovers

'Witty, conversational, slightly silly, absurd... If you're a fan of James Brown, you'll be a fan of this collection.' — Chris Tse, RNZ

'Think of the book as an unfolding life story, brimming with babies and childhood, delight and despair.' — Paula Green, NZ Poetry Shelf

'I anticipated reading James Brown’s latest collection with something approaching glee. Two of his earlier collections had given me expectations and they happily turned out to be justified.' — Margaret Austin, Regional News

'James Brown is wonderfully deft.' — Claire Mabey, The Spinoff

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Apr 13

It's been a joy to watch Night, Ma go out into the world! 💙 Elizabeth Knox has written something truly extraordinary and given us the gift of seeing as she sees. We couldn't be prouder to have published this book. The reception has been wonderful—here are some of the things people have been saying.

A blue and white watercolour book cover, titled 'Night Ma: a Memoir, by Elizabeth Knox.'

On a blue and white background, it reads: ''Such magnificent writing, and it never really lets up. Not in quality and not in emotional intensity.' — Philip Matthews, ReadingRoom'

On a blue and white background, it reads: ''Lucid, informative, and a joy to read. It is the memoir of a novelist with her attendant descriptive powers and incisive observations well in play, as the past and the everyday are recalled with splendid clarity.' — Chris Baskett, The Listener'

On a blue and white background, it reads: ''Night, Ma is a remarkable and remarkably honest book.' — Sally Blundell, Aotearoa New Zealand Review of Books'

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Apr 11

And our April doesn't end there, it's not long until we launch two excellent new poetry collections... 🎼 Thursday 23 April, 6pm 🎼 Unity Books Wellington 🎼 Free entry — all welcome!

Text reads: Join us for the launch of 'Peace and Quiet' and 'New Days for Old'. Thursday 23 April, 6pm, Unity Books Wellington. The covers of the two books are shown, and the logos of Unity Books and Te Herenga Waka University Press.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Apr 10

We were so grateful to launch Night, Ma at the newly opened Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui! Here is Elizabeth Knox reading from the new memoir in front of Earth Mothers, a dazzling rawa by Darcy Nicholas that celebrates the sacred life‑giving power of women. Thank you, Wellington City Libraries!

Elizabeth Knox, a pākehā woman with long, white hair, stands behind a lectern reading to the room. Behind her, the Earth Mothers, a dazzling Rawa (artwork) by renowned Māori artist Darcy Nicholas that celebrates the sacred life‑giving power of women, and is lit from behind so it glows with vibrant colours, lots of yellows, oranges, and pinks.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Apr 8

See you tonight! ✨ The event space Ngā Pou Ruahine is at the Te Ngākau Square end of the top floor at Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui. Library staff can help you find your way if it is your first time visiting.

The tile shows the cover of Elizabeth Knox's new book 'Night, Ma: A Memoir.' It has a blue and white watercolour cover. The event details are shared: Join us for the launch of Night, Ma. Thursday 9 April, 6pm. Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui — Wellington Central Library.'

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Mar 26

Introducing NOVA by Tim Corballis, publishing 11 June 2026! 🪐 Formally inventive, unabashedly brainy, and — as Alice Miller says — 'strangely joyful.' This is Tim Corballis's first novel since Our Future Is in the Air, and we think it's something special. Cover: Todd Atticus

The book cover is shown. An orange grainy background, a dark planet, and the white text of the title 'NOVA' with the O as a ring around the planet. The author's name Tim Corballis is in yellow.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Mar 25

And a reminder of the launch details for tonight, Aucklanders -

The tile shows the book cover and some logos, and says 'Join us for the launch of Hungus. Thursday 26 March, 6pm, Rocketman bar. Auckland.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Mar 25

It's launch day for Hungus! 🎉 Congratulations, Amber! Hungus draws on myth, pop culture, pūrakau and science fiction to tell stories of addiction, identity, and the things that keep us spinning. At its heart is the Mantis: amorphous, many-faced, holding a machete in one hand and a mic in the other.

The cover of the book is a green, bedazzled mantis holding a machete.

Praise for the book is written in black text on a green background.

This is a great debut - the Listener.

One of the smartest, slickest poets in Aotearoa - Nafanua Purcell Kersel.

Hearty af - Tayi Tibble.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Mar 12

Today we published new editions of Remote Sympathy, The Wish Child and The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey! These three haunting novels make up Chidgey’s masterful trilogy on twentieth-century totalitarianism — confronting, eerie and profoundly moving. Striking new cover designs by Todd Atticus.

Te Herenga Waka University Press@thwupbooks· Feb 17

We're looking forward to sharing this with you on 14 May! Have This Heart by Lawrence Patchett is a compulsively readable story collection about men at work, men trying to do better, and what happens when your life doesn't let you hide. Tightly coiled, tender, and unforgettable.