Mrs Griffiths remembers the work she had published in the Whakatane High School annual magazine, and in particular, her story on the groundskeeper.
"He had a ride-on motor mower he was very proud of and Margaret wrote a poem entitled Ben Hur The Motor Mower Man likening him to Ben Hur and his chariot."
Rotorua Writers Group meets on the first Saturday of every month for "a good old chin wag" and writing, and Mrs Griffiths believes Ms Mahy's work has been a true inspiration for them.
"As a writer it encouraged me to think if Margaret can do it then so can I, as I'm often writing humour rhymes and playing with words, often just for the sheer pleasure of it."
Club secretary Val Isherwood met her in 2004 at a creative writing workshop where Ms Mahy was discussing her work.
"It struck me that she was approachable yet the words in her books were other-worldly and magical."
Club member and former Papakura Central teacher Lynne Street met Ms Mahy several times when teaching.
"As soon as the children saw her put on her wig they would run to the mat to sit for story time."
Mrs Griffiths thinks Ms Mahy's writing has been a real inspiration for youngsters.
"Many children's love of reading could be traced back to their introduction to Margaret's writings. She has done a great service to children everywhere."
But despite Ms Mahy's literary success as an adult, Ms Griffiths will always remember her as a 17-year-old schoolgirl.
"Behind her coloured wig and dress-up clothes, I can still see the teenage girl in navy school uniform and cream Panama hat. Well done Margaret."
