Catherine Chidgey won the 2023 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards for her unique and powerful compelling novel The Axeman’s Carnival.

The Fiction category’s convenor of judges, Stephanie Johnson, said "The Axeman’s Carnival is a novel that has been clasped to New Zealanders’ hearts.”

This is Catherine’s second win at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. She won the Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize in 2017 for The Wish Child.

Wellington novelist and playwright Whiti Hereaka (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Tūhourangi, Pākehā) won the 2022 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Her book Kurangaituku, which tells the traditional Te Arawa story of Hatupatu and the fearsome birdwoman, Kurangaituku. 

Well known for her poetry, Airini Beautrais' first work of fiction, Bug Week, won the 2021 Acorn Prize for Fiction. The Whanganui based writer was the first in decades to take out the prize with a collection of short stories, which the judges described as a ‘knockout’ from start to finish. 

Nelson-based author Becky Manawatu won the award in 2020 with her first novel, Aue, which tells a raw and sublime story of violence and sorrow. The story was inspired by a real-life tragedy.  

Fiona Kidman was the winner in 2019 with her novel, The Mortal Boy. The Northland-based author has been writing bestsellers since her debut novel in 1979. The Mortal Boy recreates the events leading up to the hanging of the ‘jukebox killer’, compellingly communicating the grit of life.

Wellington writer Pip Adams won the 2018 prize with her novel, The New Animals. This confronting story was described as ‘vivid in imagination’. It reflects on contemporary New Zealand society and parodies the Auckland fashion scene. 

Stephen Daisley received the first of these awards in 2016 for his book, Coming Rain. Born and bred in New Zealand, Stephen bred sheep and drove trucks before pursuing writing, with his first novel published at the age of 55. Coming Rain is a story that grounds the reader in the harsh realities of life.