Gillian Candler

Gillian Candler (born 1959) is a New Zealand writer, teacher, publisher and conservationist. Her children's non-fiction books about New Zealand nature have been widely reviewed and shortlisted for a number of awards. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Biography

Although she was born in England in 1959, she spent her childhood in Wellington, New Zealand. ^[1]

Several of Candler's books have been shortlisted for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults or named as Storylines Notable Books. ^[1] Her book At the Beach illustrated by Ned Barraud won the Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction in 2013. ^[4]

Candler collaborated with the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council to write the 2023 book Mia & Leo Go Wild, which was illustrated by Gavin Mouldey. ^{[5] [6]}

Candler currently lives in Pukerua Bay. ^{[7] [8]}

References

1. "Gillian Candler - Writer's Files". Read NZ Te Pou Muramura . Retrieved 2025-09-11.
2. "Gillian Candler". Potton & Burton. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
3. "Writer: Gillian Candler - Writers • Auckland Writers Festival". www.writersfestival.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
4. "LIANZA Children's Book Awards Winners 2013 – New Zealand's best children's books". Libraries Tararua : Te Whare Pukapuka Tāmaki nui-a-Rua. 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
5. Granville, Alan (Oct 14, 2023). "Tramping with kids: Inspiring children to safely explore New Zealand's great outdoors". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
6. Benseman, Kay (2023-11-21). "Reviews: Five New Picture Books - The Sapling". The Sapling. Archived from the original on 2025-05-20. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
7. "Story of making a book". www.stuff.co.nz. Jul 3, 2013. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
8. "Gillian Candler's Nature Heroes - conservation for kids". RNZ. 2020-01-11. Retrieved 2025-09-11.