Patricia Grace is a prominent New Zealand author and a leading figure in contemporary Māori literature. She has played a crucial role in bringing Māori culture, history, and identity to a wider audience through her acclaimed novels, short stories, and children's books.

Grace's work often explores the complexities of cultural identity, the impact of colonization on indigenous communities, and the preservation of Māori traditions. One of her most well-known novels is Potiki which won the New Zealand Book Award for Fiction in 1987. She was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2001 with Dogside Story, which won the 2001 Kiriyama Pacific Rim Fiction Prize. Her children’s story The Kuia and the Spider won the New Zealand Picture Book of the Year in 1982.Her other notable works include Cousins and Tu. Grace has received numerous literary awards for her contributions to New Zealand literature, and her writing has been praised for its powerful storytelling and cultural significance.

In addition to her writing, Patricia Grace has been actively involved in promoting Māori literature and has been a strong advocate for the recognition and celebration of Māori culture. Her impact on the literary landscape has earned her a significant place in the canon of New Zealand literature, and her works continue to be studied and appreciated both nationally and internationally.

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Penguin Author Photo by Trinity Thompson-Browne

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