Te Papa Press
Award for Best Typography 2026

Finalist

Designers: Momoe i manu ae ala atea’e Tasker (Cover), Ashleigh Young (Interiors)

Title: Black Sugarcane

Publisher: Te Herenga Waka University Press

Format: 210 x 170 mm, 128pp, thread sewn.

Typography: Cover: Churchward Samoa, size 15/18pt, regular. Untitled Serif, size 17pt, leading 22pt, regular, regular italic

Internal: Adobe Garamond Pro, size 8-40pt, leading 11-27pt, regular, bold, italic
Geneva, size 10pt, leading 14.4pt, regular

Judges’ Comments:
“The typography is understated yet highly expressive which assists in the cadence of the poetry on its pages. Rather than relying on overt gestures, it uses subtle variations to reinforce meaning, giving emphasis and voice to moments within the poems, quietly shaping the reading experience.”