According to Newsroom, Prime Minister Luxon's unexpected appearance at the Ockham national book awards was met with disapproval from the crowds.

The piece claims Luxon was mocked and dismissed by attendees, with MC Jack Tame and two authors getting some digs in.

The Trust disputes this version of events, saying that author Steve Braunias "rather overegged it". 

New Zealand Book Awards Trust chair Nicola Legat says the literature community is waiting to hear if the 2024 Budget will have any good news.

"Everyone's keen to hear whether the arts might get a little bit more funding - but sceptical that it will."

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