Pastoral Care
In Pastoral Care, Auckland writer John Prins gives us nine clear-eyed, witty and beautifully written stories centred on daily life in twenty-first-century Aotearoa New Zealand. On the shores of Lake Pukaki; in kitchens, bedrooms and Lego-strewn living rooms; at school events; walking the dog, pushing a buggy, or stuck in traffic with a child kicking the back of the driver’s seat—Prins blends wry humour and emotional depth to illuminate the dark gulf between youthful dreams and the reality of adult obligations.
Prins reinvigorates the tradition of social realism in New Zealand short fiction, investing character, scene and dialogue with a distinctive, engaging voice. Often moving, frequently funny, and always relatable, Pastoral Care marks the arrival of a bold new voice in New Zealand fiction.
Pastoral Care is the second title in the Landfall Tauraka short story series, following Pretty Ugly by Kirsty Gunn.
‘Powerful, unusual stories, brimming with evocative language.’
—Owen Marshall
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Reviews and Interviews
'Accomplished debut collection of stories of everyday people experiencing exceptional moments, full of rich detail and populated by fully realised characters.'
New Zealand Listener Best 100 Books of 2025 Read
‘Familial relationships, connection, and the complex emotional territory that comes with parenting are overarching themes in John Prins’ wry and well-observed debut short story collection, Pastoral Care. Prins is an imaginative writer. He puts layered characters and emotional complexity on the page. His paragraphs spill with observation and texture. As a collection, Pastoral Care is well-observed, wry, and offers many recognisable moments.’
Kirsteen Ure for Kete Books Read
'I do not necessarily live in my art, I live in my life, but the two worlds probably dissolve into one another at the edges.'
John Prins talks to Koren Allpress for the University of Otago Read
'In Pastoral Care, [Prins] offers us nuanced takes on identity that are both individual and national, span history and allow space for a range of flaws and insecurities without ever feeling earnest or over-reaching – or prescribing one specific version of man, husband, father, teacher, writer, Aucklander ... it is a highly accomplished debut.'
Rebecca Hill for the NZ Listener and Aotearoa NZ Review of Books Read
'This was written at least 10 years ago, but I remember writing it. I was weeping and trying to record a memory of this little pig Dad kept in our dog kennel. When I asked Dad later why we kept a pig in our backyard he told me we never had a pig. So, I’m not sure whose memory this is, but it came to me unbidden, with overwhelming clarity, and complete with the sweary voice.'
John Prins talks about writing his short story ‘A Good Man’ from Pastoral Care, extracted for Newsroom Read
'At least once a week, we go to our local library to fill up a bag of fresh books. Our local librarians are the best. One minute, they’re whispering a book recommendation, the next, they’re singing and dancing for the toddlers at Wriggle and Rhyme'
John Prins shares what he's been reading recently with the Sunday Star Times Read
About the author
John Prins
John Prins has a Master of Creative Writing from Auckland University. His stories have been published in Landfall and Newsroom. He lives with his family in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Pastoral Care is his first book.
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