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Two award-winning Kiwi writers have had their works disqualified from consideration for the nation's prestigious literature award due to the utilization of AI in creating their book covers.

Disqualification Particulars

The author's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel set "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in October, but were ruled out the following month because of new rules concerning AI usage.

The publishing house of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize committee updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the covers for every entered book would have previously been completed.

“It was, therefore, far too late for any publisher to have taken this clause into account in their design briefs,” Wilson noted.

Authors' Responses

The author voiced sympathy for the prize organizers, saying she has deep concerns about AI in creative fields, but was disappointed by the decision.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she commented. “This marks my 22nd publication and my fourth short story anthology. These tales … were composed over roughly two decades, making this a particularly significant work for me.”

She added that writers typically have little input in book artwork and was unaware AI had been used for her book cover, which displays a feline with human teeth.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” Johnson explained, adding that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to identify AI-generated images.

The writer worried that the public might think she used AI to write her work, which she categorically denied.

“Instead of talking about my book … and what the inspiration was, we are talking about bloody AI, which I hate.”

In a statement, Smither said that the designers devoted hours creating her publication's cover, which includes a steam train and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

“My primary concern is for the designers: their careful, detailed work … is not being respected,” Smither remarked.

Award Trust's Stance

The trust chair, chair of the book awards trust that oversees the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains a strong position on the use of artificial intelligence in books.”

“We do not make such a decision lightly, one that bars the newest works by two of New Zealand's most respected authors from the 2026 prize,” she stated.

“Nevertheless, the rules apply equally to every participant, no matter their standing, and must be enforced uniformly.”

The move to amend the artificial intelligence criteria was motivated by a desire to protect the creative and intellectual property rights of the country's writers and artists, she explained.

“As AI evolves, there may well be a need for the trust to revisit and develop the criteria further.”

Industry Reflections

Wilson noted that publishers and authors often use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation highlighted the pressing requirement for carefully crafted guidelines.

“As an industry, we must work together to ensure that this situation does not happen again.”

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have previously served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that covers receive little consideration during judging.

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” the author said.

The use of artificial intelligence in creative fields has faced growing scrutiny as the technology progresses, with some organizations creating ways to address its influence.