How to identify a first printing
- On a first printing the copyright page states 'First published [year]' and 'Published by Victoria University Press' (pre-2022) or 'Te Herenga Waka University Press' (2022 onward), with no 'Reprinted' line and a matching year.
- Later printings add an explicit 'Reprinted [year]' line, the standard NZ small-press convention; number lines are uncommon, so the printed statement is the primary first-printing signal.
- Imprint-name era tell: a copyright page reading 'Victoria University Press' dates the book to 2021 or earlier, while 'Te Herenga Waka University Press' dates it to 2022 or later — the same title reissued under the new name is a later state.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded in the early 1970s; Fergus Barrowman has been publisher since 1985 and remains in charge; renamed Te Herenga Waka University Press effective 1 January 2022 (the university adopted the Māori name Te Herenga Waka in 2019).
- Published Eleanor Catton's 'The Rehearsal' (2008) and 'The Luminaries' (2013, Booker Prize winner) under the VUP imprint; the VUP-imprinted firsts are the key NZ collectible points, with any Te Herenga Waka–imprinted reissues being later states.
- Major NZ literary house (Bill Manhire and many NZ poets); small runs and card/wrapper editions mean condition drives desirability.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Victoria University Press (to 2021), Te Herenga Waka University Press (from 2022). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Victoria University Press / Te Herenga Waka University Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. On a first printing the copyright page states 'First published [year]' and 'Published by Victoria University Press' (pre-2022) or 'Te Herenga Waka University Press' (2022 onward), with no 'Reprinted' line and a matching year. Later printings add an explicit 'Reprinted [year]' line, the standard NZ small-press convention; number lines are uncommon, so the printed statement is the primary first-printing signal.
Does Victoria University Press / Te Herenga Waka University Press use a number line?
Later printings add an explicit 'Reprinted [year]' line, the standard NZ small-press convention; number lines are uncommon, so the printed statement is the primary first-printing signal.
Is a book-club edition a Victoria University Press / Te Herenga Waka University Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded in the early 1970s; Fergus Barrowman has been publisher since 1985 and remains in charge; renamed Te Herenga Waka University Press effective 1 January 2022 (the university adopted the Māori name Te Herenga Waka in 2019).
What era does this cover?
This covers Victoria University Press / Te Herenga Waka University Press (early 1970s–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.