Prime Minister to present Awards for Literary Achievement on 9 September 2008.

Next Tuesday, the 2008 Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement will be announced in Wellington. Presented by the Prime Minister, these awards recognise outstanding New Zealand writers in the three genres of poetry, fiction and non-fiction.

Each writer receives $60,000 in recognition of their significant contribution to New Zealand literature as well as acknowledging the importance of having a strong body of New Zealand literature which reinforces and enhances this country's unique culture. The Awards are administered by Creative New Zealand.


Writer Dame Fiona Kidman (pic left) was awarded the Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers' Fellowship earlier this year. She will also be present at the ceremony where her achivements will be acknowledged.


The Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement, along with the Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers' Fellowship, were established in 2003.



The complete list of recipients to date is:

Fiction: Janet Frame (2003), Maurice Gee (pic left-2004), Margaret Mahy (2005), Patricia Grace (2006), Fiona Farrell (2007).

Poetry: Hone Tuwhare (2003), Kevin Ireland (2004), Alistair Te Ariki Campbell (2005), Vincent O'Sullivan (2006), Bill Manhire (2007).

Non-fiction: Michael King (2003), Anne Salmond (2004), Philip Temple (2005), Judith Binney (2006), Dick Scott (2007).