Maurice Gee Dies at 93

June 17, 2025

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Maurice Gee, one of New Zealand’s most famous writers, has died at the age of 93 in Nelson.

He was known for creating many stories for both adults and children, including the well-known book Under The Mountain. This book was so popular that it was turned into a TV show in 1981 and a movie in 2009.

Gee was born in Whakatāne in 1931 and grew up in west Auckland, a place that often appeared in his stories. Over his long writing career, he wrote more than 30 books and won many important awards, including the New Zealand Book Awards and a special prize from the Prime Minister.

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack shared the sad news and said that Gee’s stories helped shape many childhoods. Famous poet Bill Manhire also honored Gee, calling him “one of the greats.”

Article written by Milli Banbury

This article was written using AI as an assistive tool for research and writing.

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