Advocacy,
Statistics
and Industry
Representation
PANZ actively represents publishers’ interests to industry and government. The PANZ advocacy team works to inform the relevant government departments and industry bodies of key issues facing book publishers and how we can work effectively together.
Strong support from the publishing industry is vital to this work. Association members are a diverse mix of general, literary and educational publishers, ranging from small independent niche publishers to large multinationals.
PANZ represents the industry on
• WeCreate
• Copyright Licensing New Zealand Board
• Book Trade Liaison Committee (BTLC)
• Book Awards Trust (BAT)
• Whitireia Diploma in Publishing Advisory Committee
Industry statistics
Nielsen Book Research completed a report to PANZ on the size of the New Zealand publishing market in 2026. The New Zealand Publishing Market Size Report 2025 sets an important benchmark for measuring the value and volume of sales across the publishing industry.
The report values the New Zealand book market at $287.4 million in 2025, with 18.6 million units sold.
T0 request a copy of the full report please contact admin@publishers.org.nz
CLICK HERE FOR THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
PANZ represents the industry to
• Creative New Zealand
• Ministry for Culture and Heritage
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Education New Zealand
• New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
PANZ is a member of
• WeCreate
• International Publishers Association
• Diversity Works
• The Coalition for Books
Council Members
PANZ is an incorporated society headed by a President and seven council members.
The Council is supported by an Association Director and a Membership Services Manager.
Each Council member manages a portfolio representing a key element of the industry.
PANZ President
Suzy Maddox
Portfolios Advocacy, Copyright & AI, Awards and Events, Finance. Suzy is Head of Sales, Hachette NZ Aoteaora.
Vice President
Michael Upchurch
Portfolios Advocacy, Sustainability, Whitireia, Finance. Michael is Publisher at Te Papa Press
Immediate Past President
Eboni Waitere
Portfolios Advocacy, International Trade & Education, Finance. Eboni is Director at Huia Publishers.
Graeme Cosslett
Portfolio Advocacy, Finance, Copyright & AI. Graeme is Director | Chief Executive at NZCER.
Louise Russell
Portfolio International Trade & Education, Whitireia. Louise is Publisher at Bateman Books
Rachel Lawson
Portfolio International Trade & Education, Training & Professional Development, Whitireia. Rachel is Publisher at Large at Gecko Press
Andrea Tamatea
Portfolios Education Domestic. Andrea is Operations Manager at LearnWell
Michelle Hurley
Portfolios Awards & Events, Communications, Training & Professional Development. Michelle is Publishing Director at Allen & Unwin NZ
Courtney Sina Meredith
Association Director
Katherine Shanks
Membership Services Manager
Chavon Bringans
PANZ Administrator
Whitireia Publishing Course
The Publishers Association of New Zealand / Te Rau o Tākupu (PANZ) has assumed responsibility for the Whitireia Publishing Course – New Zealand’s only full-time, industry-led publishing qualification.
Under the new arrangement, PANZ has taken on operational responsibility for the course while Whitireia has retained NZQA accreditation and student enrolment processes. This continuity allows students to benefit from the course’s unique blend of practical experience, industry placements, and intensive mentorship.
Theresa Crewdson & Claudia Palmer
Programme Lead (Theresa) & Publishing Tutor (Claudia)
