Wellington writer Kate De Goldi wins Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal 2011

Wellington author, publisher and broadcaster Kate De Goldi is the 2011 winner of the New Zealand’s top award for children’s writers and illustrators, the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award.

The award, for a distinguished contribution to New Zealand children’s literature, is given annually by the Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust.

Kate De Goldi’s achievements over two decades have made a very significant contribution to the continuing rise of children’s publishing in New Zealand,' says Trust chair Dr Libby Limbrick. 'Her versatility, creative use of language and reputation as a fine public speaker have earned her a special place among New Zealand writers.'

De Goldi began as a short story writer and poet, winning the American Express and Katherine Mansfield prizes, before writing a series of notable young adult novels.

In 2004, she and illustrator Jacquie Colley published their picture book Clubs, which went on to win the New Zealand Children’s Book Awards Post Book of the Year, the Russell Clarke Award for illustration and a Spectrum design award for typography.

Her 2008 novel The 10 PM Question is regarded as a publishing phenomenon, a classic of New Zealand literature, again winning the top New Zealand Post Children’s Book Award, and popular with both youth and adult audiences. It has featured on the best-seller list for many months.

De Goldi’s further major awards have included an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Award, and in 2010 the $100,000 Michael King Fellowship to work on a study of the Wellington children’s book collector and mentor Susan Price.

Kate De Goldi will deliver her Mahy Lecture at the Storylines’ annual Margaret Mahy Day being held in Auckland on International Children’s Book Day, 2 April, which this year is also part of the Spinning Tales National Children’s Writers’ and Illustrators’ Hui.

Previous winners of the Margaret Mahy Medal include Joy Cowley, Lynley Dodd, Gavin Bishop, Maurice Gee, David Hill, publisher Ann Mallinson and educationalist Wayne Mills.