Political commentator and academic Dr Ranginui Walker has been awarded the 2009 Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement. The Prime Minister presented him with the award for his non-fiction work at the premier book awards in October.

Over the years, the 77-year-old author has refused a knighthood, polarised opinion with his columns on Māori and Pākehā relations, fought for Māori representation on the Auckland Regional Authority in the late seventies and always been passionate about Māoridom’s contribution to New Zealand’s history. Poet Brian Turner and fiction writer C.K. Stead were also recognised for their respective contributions to the New Zealand literary scene.

“It is a pleasure to honour these three great writers. As New Zealanders we should celebrate success more. I am proud to acknowledge the legacy and continued involvement of these well-deserving recipients,” says Prime Minister John Key.

A “Kōrero” columnist for the New Zealand Listener for 18 years, and renowned as an authoritative source on Māori and colonial history, Dr Walker has published six books and numerous papers on Māori activism, education and the politics of culture. With this award he joins such literary luminaries as Philip Temple and Dame Anne Salmond.

His groundbreaking historical work, the best-selling Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou: Struggle Without End, a history of Māori, provided a Māori perspective on the events of the past two centuries and further back to the origins of the Māori people. Dr Walker was also a foundation member of the World Council of Indigenous People, serving for 16 years. In 2003 he was appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal.

A strong advocate for education, he also taught at primary school, lectured at teachers’ college, and served 15 years in continuing education. More recently he has been Professor and Head of Māori Studies, and Pro Vice Chancellor (Māori) at Auckland University.

In 2001 Dr Walker was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit – and is part of an extraordinary family legacy of honours over three generations, his father being the recipient of a Queen’s Service Medal, and his son a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to science.

Every year, New Zealanders are invited to nominate their choice of an outstanding writer who has made a significant contribution to New Zealand literature in the genres of non-fiction, poetry and fiction. The nominations are assessed by an expert literary panel and recommendations forwarded to the Council of Creative New Zealand for approval.