Norcliffe announced as 2023 Margaret Mahy Medal winner

Children’s book author and poet James Norcliffe has won the 2023 Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal, presented annually for lifetime achievement and distinguished contribution to New Zealand children’s literature.

Norcliffe is an author of children’s and YA books. His most recent YA title was fantasy novel The Crate (Quentin Wilson Publishing), a dark tale of a ghost with a plot twist. He has also published 11 collections of poetry and a short story collection. He has had a long involvement with takahē poetry magazine including as editorm and was president of the New Zealand Poetry Society from 2005–2007.

Last year, Norcliffe was recognised for his work when he was awarded a Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement in the poetry category.

The 2023 Storylines Margaret Mahy lecture will be presented by Norcliffe, where he will be presented with the medal on 2 April at the University of Auckland’s Epsom Campus. This will happen on Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day, one of Storylines’ two major annual celebrations of achievement by New Zealand’s writers and illustrators, publishers, and other contributors to New Zealand children’s literature. The event is held each year on the weekend closest to International Children’s Book Day, 2 April, a date that also celebrates the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen. See the registration form here.

Category: Awards Local news