Ardern leads people’s choice

Jacinda Ardern has moved into first place in an informal readers’ vote tied to New Zealand’s top book prizes, edging ahead by three votes. (newsroom.co.nz) Newsroom reported on April 21 that Ardern’s memoir *A Different Kind of Power* had overtaken Catherine Chidgey’s novel *The Book of Guilt* after the two books were tied four days earlier. On April 17, the same running tally showed about 190 entries and a dead heat between the two titles. (newsroom.co.nz 1) (newsroom.co.nz 2) The vote is not one of the official Ockham New Zealand Book Awards categories. It is a ReadingRoom promotion built around the 16 shortlisted books, with readers asked to pick a favorite New Zealand title published in 2026. (newsroom.co.nz) (nzbookawards.nz) The official Ockham awards shortlist was announced on March 4, with Ardern’s book named one of four finalists in General Non-Fiction. Chidgey’s *The Book of Guilt* is shortlisted in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction. (nzbookawards.nz) (rnz.co.nz) That split matters to readers following the race: the judges’ awards and the public vote measure different things. One reflects a panel’s category decisions, while the other tracks which shortlisted book is drawing the most direct reader support week to week. (newsroom.co.nz) (nzbookawards.nz) Ardern’s memoir has been one of the most closely watched books on this year’s list because it is her first book since leaving office as prime minister in 2023. RNZ and the Ockham organizers both noted in March that the memoir had made the final four in General Non-Fiction. (rnz.co.nz) (ockham.co.nz) Chidgey’s challenge has been strong throughout the vote. Newsroom said on April 10 that *The Book of Guilt* was still “in pole position” in the same contest before Ardern first pulled level and then moved ahead. (newsroom.co.nz 1) (newsroom.co.nz 2) The formal Ockham winners will be announced on May 13 during the Auckland Writers Festival. By then, the judges’ verdict and the readers’ favorite may still end up pointing to different books. (anzliterature.com) (nzbookawards.nz)