Creative New Zealand is inviting nominations for writers who have made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand literature in the categories of non-fiction, poetry or fiction. Writers can also nominate themselves. $60,000 is awarded in each genre.
Those nominated must be New Zealand citizens or residents.
This year Creative New Zealand has improved the process for nomination and selection to give greater transparency and accuracy of information. Nominators must now include a statement of up to 500 words about why they are nominating a writer.
The nominations are assessed by an external panel of literary experts who then forward their recommendations to the Arts Council of Creative New Zealand for approval.
The awards are presented by the Prime Minister in a formal ceremony later in the year.
In 2018 poet, publisher and librettist Michael Harlow received the award for Poetry, critic, curator and poet Wystan Curnow for Non-Fiction, and dramatist and fiction writer Renée for Fiction.
As Renée says, “Shine a light e hoa, nominate a writer for this amazing award.”
See the full list of previous winners
Nominations close on Friday, 26 April at 5pm.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Kimberley Brady
Senior Communications and Advocacy Adviser
Ph: 04 473 9738
kimberley.brady@creativenz.govt.nz
NZ Poetry Shelf 