Allen & Unwin
Award for Best General Cover 2026
Finalist
Cover Designer: Megan van Staden
Title: The Last Living Cannibal
Publisher: Moa Press
Format: 234 x 153 mm, 304pp, C-format trade paperback, unsewn on creamy 65gsm stock. Cover with embossed title and spot UV over the text.
Typography: Cover: Parnaso
Internals: 12.6/21.6 Adobe Garamond Pro
This beautiful vintage postcard from Te Papa’s collection depicts Taranaki Maunga from Pukekura Park in New Plymouth. Its grainy sepia tone gives the historical note, while the image conveys Airana’s commitment to telling uniquely Taranaki stories, inspired by his whānau. The bold white font contrasts with the muted palette, and the provocative title is delicately handled. Juxtaposed as it is, the shock of the word ‘cannibal’ is balanced by the serene and timeless grace of the maunga. The vertical stacking of the title evokes the shape of a mountain, and the refined serif lends the overall design a captivating air of understated elegance.
Judges’ Comments:
“A restrained, minimalist cover that evokes an eerie atmosphere without relying on literal imagery and it is nice that it wraps around the entire cover. The typography and illustration work in harmony, with a muted colour palette, generous letter spacing, and grainy illustrative treatment conveying an uneasy feeling. It makes the cover very eye-catching.”
