Anne Kennedy is one of three recipients of the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in 2021.

Anne Kennedy is an acclaimed poet, fiction writer, screenplay editor and teacher, known for her innovative, ambitious writing. Her poetry awards include New Zealand Post Book Award for Poetry, 2013, for The Darling North, the Montana New Zealand Book Award for Poetry, 2004, for Singsong, and most recently she was shortlisted for the 2020 Ockham NZ Book Award for Poetry for her most recent collection, Moth Hour. The Sea Walks into a Wall is Anne’s most recent book of poetry which was published in October 2021.

‘“Knocked off her perch” when she learnt Sam Hunt’s ‘Porirua Friday Night’ by heart as a third former in 1973, Anne Kennedy has gone on to become a unique voice in the poetry of Aotearoa. We love her poetry collections, her musical collaborations, her mentoring of young poets and we’re just thrilled to see Anne win this amazing award,’ says Sam Elworthy, director of Auckland University Press.

Fellow recipients for the 2021 award include David Hill MNZM (fiction) and Dame Claudia Josepha Orange PhD OBE DNZM (non-fiction).

A live-streamed panel event will take place on 16 November to celebrate this year’s winners, hosted by Paul Diamond. Further information can be found here. 

Photo credit Robert Cross.