Jack Lasenby

Jack Lasenby is one of New Zealand's finest writers for children, a status recognised in 2014 when he was awarded the 2014 Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement. Born in Waharoa, New Zealand in 1931, during the 1950s Jack was a deer-culler and possum trapper in the Ureweras. He's a former school teacher, lecturer in English at the Wellington Teachers' College, and editor of the School Journal. The author of over 30 books for children, which include the Aunt Effie series, the Uncle Trev titles, 'The Sedden Street Gang' trilogy, 'The Travellers' quartet and the Harry Wakatipu books, Jack has been the recipient many times of the most highly regarded children's book awards: the Esther Glen Medal, the Aim Children's Book Award, and the New Zealand Post Children's Book Award. Jack Lasenby lives in Wellington where he sets aside time most days for writing and reading.