NZ writers win $60,000 literary lotto

ROSS GIBLIN/ The Dominion Post

DISTINGUISHED TRIO: Writers, from left, Ranginui Walker, CK Stead and Brian Turner have all received honours at a ceremony for the Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement, held at Premier House.

Relevant offers

Books

Banned Bloody Mama book reclassified Tintin does not break racism law Author, 12, gives proceeds to cancer research The life of a romance writer The Twilight diary World marks Dickens anniversary DC reveals Watchmen prequels Heartbreak in the rubble Is the 'Poe Toaster' nevermore? Elton John to pen book about Aids

Ranginui Walker wants to write a few more books, CK Stead reckons he has a nice cushion for his old age and Brian Turner is just hoping for a new fishing rod.

The trio of writers are the latest recipients of the Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement – worth $60,000 each.

They received the honours at a ceremony at Premier House last night in front of a crowd of literary and political luminaries.

Turner, the Otago poet (and brother of sportsmen Glenn and Greg Turner), said he was startled by the award. "If you'd told me 45 years ago that, as a consequence of writing poetry, I might be here tonight, I'd have said you were joking."

During that period it had become more and more acceptable to talk publicly about his poetry, he said. He had a few practical ideas for what he could do with the prizemoney. As well as a new fishing reel and line, he wanted four new tyres for his little truck.

"I'll buy a few people a present, and then I'll look at the bank statement for a week or two."

Walker, the non-fiction winner, said his award was vindication of a decision he made 20 years ago to concentrate on being an academic. "I was totally surprised and elated and proud."

He had tried for a long period to let Pakeha people know "what the rising Maori activism was all about". Though the award was a literary one, all of his writing was also political, Walker said.

He was sometimes wary about accepting public money for new works, so the prizemoney would help with more books.

Stead, an Auckland novelist, poet and critic, said he was "very pleased and greatly honoured" by the award. "All recognition is important. Writing is a lonely business and embarking on any long work, especially a novel, is an act of courage."

Though his prize was for fiction, he had always wanted to write in a range of forms.

His prizemoney would help out with funding his retirement, though he was disappointed to hear the sum was taxable. "I think it should be like winning Lotto – it feels like winning Lotto."

The awards were not the only prestigious gongs for Kiwi writers this week. Days earlier, the French ambassador awarded Dame Fiona Kidman the Legion d'Honneur – France's highest decoration – for her work.

- © Fairfax NZ News