Grace, Patricia (1937–)

views updated

Grace, Patricia (1937–)

New Zealand novelist and short-story writer. Name variations: Ngati Toa; Ngati Raukawa; Te Ati Awa. Born 1937 in Wellington, New Zealand; children: 7.

Worked as primary and secondary school teacher; was 1st Maori woman to publish short-story collection in English; writings, which often focus on extended families and problems of race and class, include Waiariki (1975), Mutuwhenua (1978), The Dream Sleepers (1980), Potiki (1986), Electric City and Other Stories (1987), Selected Stories (1991), The Sky People (1994), and Baby No-Eyes (1998); children's books, with Robyn Kahukiwa, include The Kuia and the Spider (1981) and Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street (1984). Received New Zealand Book Award for fiction and Scholarship in Letters.

More From encyclopedia.com