NZCYA Judges Announced

2019 NZCYA JUDGES SHARE A PASSION FOR THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF BOOKS

 

A panel of judges combining deep knowledge of the children’s literature community with youthful wisdom and a shared passion for the transformative power of books has been selected to deliberate over entries to the 2019 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

 

The 2019 NZCYA judges (top row and bottom row, left to right): Crissi Blair, Jane Arthur, Raymond Huber, Tania Roxborogh, Simie Simpson, Moana Munro, Anahera Morehu and Jacqueline Joyce Snee.

 

Highly respected reviewer and librarian Crissi Blair will convene the English language panel, which will also include poet and co-founding editor of The Sapling Jane Arthur, author and editor Raymond Huber, teacher and award-winning writer Tania Roxborogh, and librarian Simie Simpson, previously a popular children’s publisher sales manager. Te Rōpū Whakahau, the national body representing Māori within the library and information profession, has reappointed the experienced panel of Moana Munro (convenor), Anahera Morehu and Jacqueline Joyce Snee to judge the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award, which recognises and celebrates books written or translated into te reo Māori.

 

“We are fortunate to have a judging panel from diverse backgrounds and many different aspects of the children's book world. I look forward to combining our skills as we explore this year's submissions.” - Crissi Blair, 2019 judges’ convenor