Each year the New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) appoints a President of Honour. This position is awarded to a writer in recognition of their services to the Society and to the literary community.
We are delighted to announce our President of Honour for the next 12 months, Dr. Philip Temple (ONZM).
This honour could not be bestowed on a more worthy recipient. Philip joined the PEN (NZSA) in 1970 and was the first South Island vice president. He went on to Chair the Otago Southland Branch and was a member of the National Council 1992 – 1994, President of the Society 1998 – 1999 and Vice President for 4 years between 2002 and 2010.
His advocacy work and representation on the NZ Authors Fund and, as it was later named, the Public Lending Right has contributed to New Zealand authors being fairly compensated for their books held in our libraries. He has also been very active with PEN NZ Inc, ensuring freedom of expression is upheld in our country.
Philip is well recognised for his writing of more than 40 works, both fiction and non-fiction, children and adults, and has won numerous awards. He is appearing at the Auckland Writers Festival this weekend to talk about his most recent novel MiSTORY (Font, 2014). From the end of this month, he takes up the prestigious Henderson Arts Trust Residency in Alexandra.
Past Presidents of Honour have included Janet Frame, Dame Ngaio Marsh, Maurice Gee, Alistair Te Ariki Campbell, Patricia Grace, Dame Christine Cole Catley, Margaret Mahy, Owen Marshall, Dame Fiona Kidman, Joy Cowley, Sir James McNeish, Gavin Bishop (ONZM) and Daphne de Jong. Philip Temple will stand proudly alongside these icons of NZ literature.
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