It is open to New Zealand writers of non-fiction, including educational material.
CLNZ is now jointly owned by PANZ and the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA).
[5] Its aim is to provide financial support for New Zealand writers of non-fiction books, including those with an education focus, to help them spend time on specific non-fiction writing projects.
[5] The Award is currently worth $25,000, making it one of the most valuable prizes for non-fiction writing in New Zealand.
[2] 2011: Malcolm McKinnon (The 1930s Depression in New Zealand) and Melissa Williams (Maori Urban Migrations from North Hokianga to Auckland 1930–1970)Other finalists: Dr Lee Davidson (Mountain Feeling : The Lives of Climbers and Other Stories), Bradford Haami (Ka Mau Te Wehi : May the Force Be With You) and Janet Hunt (Dick Henry and the Birds)[6] 2012: Hazel Petrie (Into the Darkness) and David Veart (Hello Boys and Girls)Other finalists: Michael Corballis (The Wandering Mind), Vincent O’Malley (The Waikato War 1863–64) and Geoff Chapple (Terrain: North Island)[7] 2013: Margaret Pointer (Niue – A History 1774–1974) and Geoff Chapple (Terrain)[8]Other finalists: Eleanor Black (Women of Cosme), Bruce Hayward (Geology and Landforms of northern New Zealand) Angela Middleton: ("Kia Kaha – Be Strong" William Cotton's New Zealand Journals 1942–1847)[9] 2016: Neville Peat (The Invading Sea)[10][11] 2017: Ben Schrader (Won and Lost: Saving New Zealand’s Built Heritage 1885–2016)[12] 2018: Nic Low (Uprising)[2][13] 2019: Rebecca Macfie (biography of Helen Kelly)[14] 2020: Nick Bollinger (Revolutions Per Minute: The Counterculture in New Zealand 1960–1975)[15] 2021: Jade Kake (legacy of Māori architect Rewi Thompson)[16] 2022: Iona Winter (A counter of moons)[17] 2023: Tom Doig (We Are All Preppers Now: Kiwis making plans for the end of the world)[18]