The biennial Prize in Modern Letters is designed to acknowledge and advance the work of emerging writers in New Zealand. The value of the Prize is $65,000. A panel of three judges convened by Professor Bill Manhire, Director of the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington, announced the winner on Saturday during the New Zealand International Arts Festival.
David Beach, from Wellington, was awarded the prize for his book of poems, Abandoned Novel.
"That a book of poems can win a $65,000 prize makes me feel as if I've stumbled into a parallel universe where poetry is considered important" Beach said.
Previous winners include Catherine Chidgey (2002), Glenn Colquhoun (2004), and Carl Shuker (2006).
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