Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand | Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki o Aotearoa

Profile

Kate Preece

Kate Preece is an accomplished magazine editor turned published author, who has been writing for children since she herself was one. One Weka Went Walking (Bateman Books, 2022) is the first story to make it beyond her own bookcase.

One Weka Went Walking was inspired by the endemic birds of the Chatham Islands Rēkohu and as such, showcases some of New Zealand’s rarest birds. The story is told through rhyme, repetition, and stunning true-to-life illustrations by childhood friend Pippa Ensor. Its factual elements are designed to engage young and old alike, extending its reach to bird lovers and conservationists.

Born and raised in Christchurch, Kate’s tertiary education was journalism-themed and completed at Canterbury and Massey universities. Her first career opportunity was under the mentorship of the late Kiwi legend Jon Gadsby, then-editor of a local lifestyle magazine. It was the beginning of a 14-year stint in the magazine industry that culminated in group editor for Allied Press Magazines, as well as editor of Kiwi Gardener, Kiwi Gardener Quarterly, Kiwi Gardener Journal and Style magazines.

Today, Kate switches between writing children’s books, editing her first adult fiction novels, writing short stories, and extending her children’s vocabulary, from her new home on Rēkohu.

KP

Selected bibliography:

One Weka Went Walking (illustrated by Pippa Ensor), Bateman Books, September 2022.

Awards:

2022 Storylines Notable Book Award (Non Fiction), One Weka Went Walking, Bateman Books.

Winner of Exisle Academy’s “The Story I Needed To Have Read” short story competition for “Lake Fly“.

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