1. During her lifetime, this author had only three books of short stories published. Within four years of her death, her husband had authorised the publication of another two collections of stories, an edited version of her journals, and a selection of her letters. Katharine Mansfield Lauris Edmond Fleur Adcock Janet Frame

2. Trained as a librarian, this prolific author of children's and young adult fiction wrote her first story when she was seven years old. In 1968, upon reading her children's story "A Lion in the Meadow", a publisher brought the rights to all of her works. That same year, eight of her stories were published. Margaret Mahy Fiona Kidman Lynley Dodd Fleur Adcock

3. Although determined to become a professional painter in her younger years, this multi-talented woman wrote thirty-two detective novels and in her time was considered along with Agatha Christie to be one of the "Queens of Crime". Dorothy Sayers Ngaio Marsh Margery Allingham Patrica Cornwall

4. In 1985 this author won the Booker Prize for a novel featuring a character she had first dreamt in 1965, and had been seeing, dreaming and writing about for over seventeen years. Margaret Atwood Keri Hulme Juliet Marillier Shonagh Keoa

5. The recipient of the 1951 Hubert Church Memorial Award had her lobotomy operation cancelled when the hospital she had been committed to heard of her success. Janet Frame Keri Hulme Margaret Mahy Patrica grace

6. Sobran Jodeau and an angel named Xas are at the heart of this author's most well known work. She is one of New Zealand's most successful contemporary writers. Keri Hulme Niki Caro Elizabeth Knox Sheryl Jordan

7. This author writes in both the adult and young adult genres. He has won New Zealand's most prestigious literary awards on several occasions, and been awarded the "Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement". In 2003 he was named as one of New Zealand's greatest living artists. Frank Sargeson Maurice Gee Michael Morrissey Russell Kirkpatrick

8. This author published his first novel in 1990. Although criticised for his attack on cultural sensitivities, the book made such an impact that four years later it was made into a film directed by Lee Tamahori. Maurice Gee Witi Ihimaera Maurice Shadbolt Alan Duff

9. This writer invited Janet Frame to live for no charge in a converted shed on his property shortly after her release from Seacliff and mentored her burgeoning talent. His short stories put him on a par with Katherine Mansfield on the world stage. Bruce Mason Frank Sargeson Craig Harrison Owen Marshall

10. This Maori writer was the first to have both a novel and a book of short stories published. One of his novels was made into a movie that was released in 2003, and earned its young star an Oscar nomination. Witi Ihimaera James K Baxter Bruce Mason Samuel Butler