Three outstanding New Zealand writers recognised with the 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement
The Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement is presented annually in three categories: fiction, non-fiction and poetry. The award is managed by Creative New Zealand and decided by the Arts Council following public nominations and recommendations from an external panel of experts.
Kent Gardner, Chair of the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa, says this year’s recipients fully embody the spirit of these awards, which take into consideration writers’ national acclaim, international recognition, and leadership within the New Zealand literary sector.
Internationally renowned children’s author Dame Lynley Dodd, historian and environmentalist Neville Peat, and multi-talented poet Apirana Taylor are being recognised for their contributions to literature with this top literary award.
Lynley Dodd is an internationally celebrated writer for children. Her titles, including the Hairy Maclary series, are highly regarded and much loved by her readers locally and internationally. Her stories are known for their lively sound qualities, curious animal characters, and the memorable illustrations that accompany the text. Dodd has received numerous awards, both for her writing and illustration. In 2002 she was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to children’s literature.
This article has been adapted from the Creative New Zealand announcement article. For more information, read the full article on creativenz.govt.nz
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Parents: Click here for 10 minutes of peace. (You're welcome).
