Margaret Mahy

Children's book author Margaret Mahy, one of New Zealand's most acclaimed literary figures, has died at the age of 76 after a brief illness.

Ms Mahy, who wrote her first story when she was 7, has won numerous awards and honours for her contribution to New Zealand and children's literature.

She has written more than 120 books which have been translated into 15 languages. She has also won many of the world's premier children's book awards, including the Carnegie Medal (twice) for The Haunting and The Changeover and the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award.