Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional , in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Kenneth Chapman, author of Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove . The book I wish I’d written Locke & Key by Joe Hill.

Alex Casey recaps the highlights of the Aotearoa Music Awards 2026, including a standing ovation for Lynda Topp and Stan Walker’s toilet snafu. Last night the Civic Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau hosted the 61st Aotearoa Music Awards, a celebration of the last year in local music to cap off the end of Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa, New Zealand Music Month. Hosted by RNZ’s Kara Rickard and comedian Tom Sainsbury, the evening had all manner of glittering stars present including Suzy Cato, Troy Kingi and Erin Simpson, and I’m told by a veteran attendee that it was easily “the most emo/special ever”.