Stories of community conservation and life beneath the waves have taken top honours in this year’s competition.
Our annual competition celebrates literature exploring remote places, adventure, conservation and the people shaped by wild environments, with awards presented in two categories: Mountain and Adventure Narrative and Mountain and Adventure Heritage.
The Mountain and Adventure Heritage Award has been awarded to Caring for Kahurangi: The inspiring story of Friends of Flora by Sandy and Robin Toy.
Beautifully illustrated with photographs by Ruedi Mosimann, the book tells the story of one of New Zealand’s most successful community-led conservation efforts. Over 25 years, volunteers from Friends of Flora have worked to restore biodiversity on the eastern edge of Kahurangi National Park through predator trapping, bird translocations and ecological monitoring.
Head Judge Derek Paterson praised the book for “drawing readers into the battle to preserve a section of Kahurangi National Park”. He said the book was “well-written” and that “Ruedi Mosimann’s superb photography lifts the book to its winning heights.”
Sandy and Robin Toy said, “We’re stoked to receive this award. It takes a team to look after places like Kahurangi and we would have had no story to tell without 25 years of hard mahi from Friends of Flora volunteers. It also takes a team to produce a book and working with Potton & Burton has been a privilege; they are outstanding. We hope this book filled with Ruedi Mosimann’s beautiful images will foster an appreciation that Aotearoa’s wild places are so much more than the view or a resource to be exploited.”
The Mountain and Adventure Narrative Award goes to Andrew Penniket for Whales, Snails and Lobster Tales.
Published on the 50th anniversary of New Zealand’s first marine reserve at Goat Island, Andrew’s memoir draws on five decades of underwater adventures across the South Seas — from Antarctic ice and Milford Sound to encounters with whales, orca, giant cuttlefish and life beneath the waves. Blending adventure, science and humour, the book offers a vivid portrait of New Zealand’s marine environments and the people devoted to exploring them.
“Andrew Penniket has lived a truly adventurous life,” said Derek. “The book is well-written, informative and, at times, frightening as he recounts perilous situations. You come away enlightened.”
Andrew says, “It’s a huge thrill and honour to receive this recognition. I have long been a big fan of the Mountain Film and Book Festival and it is humbling to be included in its ranks. I would especially like to thank all the organisers, judges and volunteers for the enormous amount of work they do to make it such a major success. The chance to share some undersea stories and my fascination for the sea with fellow lovers of the wild is immensely rewarding.”
The winning authors will appear as guest speakers at the festival in Wānaka this June. Sandy and Robin Toy, alongside photographer Ruedi Mosimann, and Andrew Penniket will share stories behind their books as part of the festival programme.
Judges narrowed entries to six finalists:
Mountain and Adventure Narrative finalists
- Whales, Snails and Lobster Tales — Andrew Penniket
- Kim – A Journey Between Worlds — Kim Logan
- Bill McLeod: Mountaineering Legend — Ross Cullen
Mountain and Adventure Heritage finalists
- Aotearoa Light: Moments of Wonder and Realisation in New Zealand Wilderness — Peter Laurenson
- Mountains to Climb: The Canterbury Mountaineering Club 1925–2025 — edited by John Wilson
- Caring for Kahurangi: The inspiring story of Friends of Flora — Sandy and Robin Toy
The following titles were also highly commended:
- Emily Walks Te Araroa — Victoria and Emily Bruce
- Eden: A Portrait of Mountain Biking in Aotearoa New Zealand — Nick Stevenson
- The High Pathways — Paul and Shelley Hersey