BWB congratulates Dame Claudia Orange who has been awarded the 2021 Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement (Non-fiction)!
Dame Claudia was recognised for her contribution to a wider understanding of New Zealand history through her extensive research on Te Tiriti.
Her first award-winning history, The Treaty of Waitangi was published in 1987 (revised edition 2011). She became General Editor of the award-winning Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, released in five volumes with the Māori biographies also in te reo Māori, released as Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau. Her most recent book, The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Illustrated History (2021) is widely acclaimed. A new edition of The Story of a Treaty will be released in 2022.
Dame Claudia receives this award alongside award-winning poet Anne Kennedy and young adult fiction writer David Hill.
The Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, says, 'I’m thrilled to offer my congratulations to Anne Kennedy, David Hill, and Dame Claudia Orange – each renowned for work across multiple areas. Supporting these awards is an honour and they truly are an annual highlight for me.'
Arts Council Chair Caren Rangi noted: 'On behalf of the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa, I'm so excited to offer our warmest congratulations to David, Anne and Dame Claudia – such treasured and accomplished writers drawn from across the motu, with diverse tales to tell. Thank you for your continued passion, skill and devotion to New Zealand literature.'
All three winners will take part in an online literary panel, alongside Michael King Writer's Fellowship winner Dr Monty Soutar, to mark their achievement on Tuesday 16 November, 6.30–8pm.
Congratulations Claudia!