Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement

Christchurch City Libraries lists literary prize winners and links to catalogue searches, but we may not hold copies of all titles mentioned.

Worth $60,000 each and initiated in 2002, the annual Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement recognise writers who have made a significant contribution to New Zealand literature. The nominated writers should have written a body of work that has received national acclaim and/or international recognition. They may also be working in other genres.

Awards given in three categories: Poetry, Non-fiction, and Fiction. The Fiction category includes novels, short stories, plays, children’s fiction and scriptwriting.

See more literary prize winners.

2024

Poetry Apirana Taylor
Non-Fiction Neville Peat
Fiction Lynley Dodd

2023

Poetry Tusiata Avia
Non-Fiction Linda Tuhiwai Smith
Fiction Lee Murray

2022

2021

Poetry Anne Kennedy
Non-Fiction Dame Claudia Orange
Fiction David Hill

Read the announcement from Creative NZ

2020

Poetry Jenny Bornholdt
Non-Fiction Sir Tīmoti Kāretu
Fiction Tessa Duder

Read the announcement on the CreativeNZ website.

📣We're proud to announce the recipients of the 2020 Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement:

📚 Non-Fiction: Sir Tīmoti Kāretu KNZM QSO (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu)
📚 Poetry: Jenny Bornholdt MNZM
📚 Fiction: Tessa Duder CNZM, OBE

More info: https://t.co/iLjYkO7Sis pic.twitter.com/6d4rwQK22w

— Creative New Zealand (@CreativeNZ) November 9, 2020