Caves: Exploring New Zealand’s subterranean wilderness was written by West Coaster Neil Silverwood (pictured), of Blackball, and Marcus Thomas, of Wellington, and includes the exploration of New Zealand’s longest and deepest caves, as well as a cave in a South Island glacier.
Annabel Wilson, of Wanaka, won the fiction award for Aspiring Daybook: The diary of Elsie Winslow, about a woman’s return to Wanaka from Europe to take care of her terminally ill brother.
The non-fiction award went to Laurence Fearnley and Paul Hersey, both of Dunedin, for their book To the Mountains which explores New Zealand’s mountaineering culture and history.
Christopher Tuffley, of Palmerston North, won the essay category for the second time, with his entry Climbing Lessons which describes his experiences climbing in Yosemite.
The festival runs in Wanaka from June 29 to July 4, Cromwell on July 4 and Queenstown from July 5 to 7.
