Well known writers Geoff Chapple of
Devonport and Margaret Pointer of Wellington were presented the 2013
Awards plus $35,000 each at a ceremony held at the Auckland Town Hall this
evening.
Geoff Chapple was awarded the New
Zealand Order of Merit for services to tramping, tourism and literature in the
2012 and is committed to continuing to write about things he feels deserve
notice. Once published, this
book will take readers on a literary journey along the Te Araroa trail from
Cape Reinga to Bluff. Readers will be encouraged readers to look closely at the
ground that we walk on. Described as a high end travel book, Terrain
will include travel stories from around New Zealand supported by interesting
facts on the geological make up of our country.
The selection panel commented that Geoff’s book promises to be
“fascinating for the lay reader – part travel book and part introduction to NZ
geology. Information about landforms interspersed with humour and written with
a style that could only enthuse the reader. This book fills a ‘gap’ in New
Zealand non-fiction and is a book that will be dateless.”
Margaret Pointer’s passion for research and
writing was rekindled during her time living in Nuie. During this time, Pointer
researched and documented the Nuiean people’s involvement in WWI and organised
a museum exhibition. Senior teacher of history by trade and armed with a
passion for research and writing, Margaret Pointer’s winning project focuses on
200 years of contact, interaction and change for the people of Nuie. The book
is to be titled Nuie – a History 1774-1974 and will become an important
addition to school’s and library’s Pacific collections.
The selection panel felt that “this is a ground breaking
piece of work. Nothing of great substance has been written in this area, yet
there is a huge Niuean population in New Zealand. The book promises to bring to
light sources and images that have not yet been published and it is clear that
Margaret has the support of significant people in Niue society.”
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