More Margaret Mahy
Margaret Mahy is remembered in many ways. There are collections, awards, and lectures in her honour. There is even a playground!
The Margaret Mahy Collection of New Zealand Children’s Books
This is a reference collection of New Zealand children’s and young adult books from the nineteenth century to the present day named in honour of the New Zealand author and former Christchurch City Libraries’ Children’s Librarian, Margaret Mahy.
Find out more about the Margaret Mahy Collection.
The Margaret Mahy Family Playground
The Margaret Mahy Family Playground was named in her honour and opened in the central city in 2015.
The Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize
The Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize is one of New Zealand’s pre-eminent illustration prizes, offering a unique opportunity for an unpublished New Zealand-based illustrator to illustrate Margaret Mahy’s classic stories. It was launched in 2019 to celebrate and honour the 50th Anniversary of Mahy’s A Lion in the Meadow.
2022 winner: Jessica Twohill for her illustrations of Margaret Mahy’s iconic children’s book The Witch in the Cherry Tree - the judging panel called them “thoughtful, full of humour and packed with detail.”
2021 winner: Minrui Yang for her curiosity-filled submission of There's a King in the Cupboard.
2020 winner: Lily Emo for her breathtaking submission of The Boy Who Made Things Up.
2019 winner: Sarah Greig for her fun-filled submission of The Boy With Two Shadows.
Margaret Mahy Memorial Lecture
WORD Christchurch Festival has featured a Margaret Mahy Memorial Lecture as part of its event since 2014:
2021 Ben Brown
Listen and Read
2016 David Levithan
Listen
Read
2014 Elizabeth Knox
Margaret Mahy stamps
Margaret Mahy stamp issue. In 2013 NZ Post issued stamps featuring A lion in the meadow, A summery Saturday morning, The great white man-eating shark, The Word witch and The changeover.
Margaret Mahy exhibitions
The State Library of Victoria, Australia featured an exhibition about Margaret Mahy 1 August to 15 September 1997.
Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award
The Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award was first presented in 1991 to Margaret Mahy in recognition of her contribution to the world of literature for children and young adults. Surprising Moments, her inaugural lecture, set the standard for those given by subsequent award-winners.
These published lectures by the champions of the New Zealand children’s literature community have enriched New Zealand’s literary heritage with their insight into the experiences, ideas, issues and concerns involved in writing and/or illustrating for children, improving literacy, and ensuring access to quality literature.
The award carries a monetary prize of $2000 and is presented annually to a person for their lifetime achievement and significant contribution to the broad field of children’s literature and literacy. This includes writing, illustration, publishing and academic fields. The address is published on the Storylines website immediately after the award presentation.
New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults – Margaret Mahy Book of the Year
In 2013 the New Zealand Post Book of the Year was renamed the New Zealand Post Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award, to commemorate Margaret Mahy who died in 2012.
The Christchurch Writers' Trail
The Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors laid 32 writers’ plaques in various parts of Christchurch. This booklet features brief writers’ biographies and photographs, and includes a map to help you find the plaques commemorating each writer. All of the writers featured have a close connection with Christchurch. The booklet and plaques honour the literary talent of our town and province.
Margaret Mahy's plaque was located by the Old Canterbury Public Library, corner Cambridge Terrace and Hereford Street.
View Christchurch Writers’ Trail [2.8 MB PDF]
