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Pastoral Care

Winner 2026 Ockham NZ Book Award for Best First Book Fiction
By John Prins
Series: Landfall Tauraka Short Story series
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Brief Description
In Pastoral Care, Auckland writer John Prins gives us nine clear-eyed, witty and beautifully written stories centred on daily life in twenty-first-century Aotearoa New Zealand. On the shores of Lake Pukaki; in kitchens, bedrooms and Lego-strewn living rooms; at school events; walking the dog, pushing a... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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In Pastoral Care, Auckland writer John Prins gives us nine clear-eyed, witty and beautifully written stories centred on daily life in twenty-first-century Aotearoa New Zealand. Often moving, frequently funny, and always relatable, Pastoral Care marks the arrival of a bold new voice in New Zealand fiction.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In Pastoral Care, Auckland writer John Prins gives us nine clear-eyed, witty and beautifully written stories centred on daily life in twenty-first-century Aotearoa New Zealand. On the shores of Lake Pukaki; in kitchens, bedrooms and Lego-strewn living rooms; at school events; walking the dog, pushing a buggy, or stuck in traffic with a child kicking the back of the driver’s seatβ€”Prins blends wry humour and emotional depth to illuminate the dark gulf between youthful dreams and the reality of adult obligations.

John Prins reinvigorates the tradition of social realism in New Zealand short fiction, investing character, scene and dialogue with a distinctive, engaging voice. Often moving, frequently funny, and always relatable, Pastoral Care marks the arrival of a bold new voice in New Zealand fiction.

Pastoral Care is the second title in the Landfall Tauraka Short Stories series, following Pretty Ugly by Kirsty Gunn.

Lists

The 2026 Ockham New Zealand Book Winners

Series: Landfall Tauraka Short Story series

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  • Ockham Winner
    On Sale
    11% off
    Pastoral Care
    In Pastoral Care, Auckland writer John Prins gives us nine clear-eyed, witty and beautifully written stories centred on daily life in twenty-first-century Aotearoa New Zealand. On the shores of Lake Pukaki; in kitchens, bedrooms and Lego-strewn living rooms; at school events; walking the dog, pushing a buggy, or stuck in traffic with a child kicking the back of the driver’s...
    By John Prins
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Offshore Service
    β€˜But I couldn’t go home just yet. I would not be a man in anyone’s eyes. That’s how I wound up working for Anton, servicing the coal ships stranded off the coast.’ β€”from Offshore Service In Offshore Service and Other Stories, award-winning author Craig Cliff explores the emotional, economic, cultural, and climatic forces that drive our decisions. Farmers search for...
    By Craig Cliff
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781991348104

Publisher: Otago University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 August 2025

Country: New Zealand

Imprint: Otago University Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 148.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 160

Collections

2025 Best Sellers Best Sellers at Book Hero Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books John Prins Literary Fiction Moving Day Sale Moving Day Sale: Books Moving Day Sale: General Fiction New Release Fiction New Zealand and Australia Published New Zealand Fiction New Zealand Published Series: Landfall Tauraka Short Story series The Listener Top 100 The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2026

About the Author

John Prins has a Master of Creative Writing from Auckland University. His stories have been published in Landfall and Newsroom. He lives with his family in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Pastoral Care is his first book.

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