Former Kawerau local Sasha Cotter accepts her accolade in the Maori Language category of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults for her book Nga Ki, which was translated by Kawata Teepa.
An author who grew up in Kawerau has won top honours at this year's New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
Sasha Cotter took out the Maori Language category last week with her book, Nga Ki. It was written in English and translated into te reo Maori by
Kawata Teepa.
The book explored the special relationship between a father and his daughter. Ms Cotter said growing up she remembered her father returning home at night from work at Tasman Mill and telling her stories in bed.
She said her family was all delighted when Nga Ki was announced the winner.
"I heard someone yell out, 'Yes' from the crowd and I knew that it was my dad. I'm definitely walking on cloud nine at the moment," she said.
