Man Booker Prize-winning novel The Luminaries (Granta) is set to become a TV mini-series, according to the New Zealand Herald.

TV rights are said to have been signed in August last year, before the book was shortlisted for the prize.

Producer Andrew Woodhead, who has previously worked on successful UK shows "Law and Order UK" and "Spooks", is at the helm of the adaptation, although no screenwriter or director are yet attached to the project.

Author Eleanor Catton has revealed that she insisted the production – set in 1866 Hokitika - be filmed in New Zealand.

Speaking about potential filming locations, Catton commented: "The thing about the West Coast is there are so many stretches that are untouched. To create a 19th century location on the West Coast wouldn't be hard."

Catton said she did not want to adapt the book for a screenplay herself as she felt it needed a fresh perspective. She also spoke of her preference for adapting the novel into a television show rather than a film because it allows “longer story arcs and time to develop the characters”.

At 28, Catton was the youngest ever Man Booker winner when she was awarded with the prize last year. The Luminaries has sold 64,576 copies through Nielsen BookScan since its publication last August.