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David Ballantyne

1924 – 1986

New Zealand journalist and writer

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About David Ballantyne

Lived 1924 – 1986 (aged 61). David Ballantyne was a New Zealand journalist, novelist, writer and journalism.

David Watt Ballantyne (14 June 1924 – 24 February 1986) was a New Zealand journalist, novelist and short story writer.

Ballantyne was born in Auckland, New Zealand on 14 June 1924. He was Māori affiliated to the iwi Ngāti Uenukukōpako and Ngāti Hinepare of Te Arawa.

After a brief episode in the military and after not completing his medical studies, he began his career as a journalist at the Auckland Star. In 1948, he published his first novel, The Cunninghams in the United States. He finished Freeman’s Bay, a novel about Auckland working-class life, in 1950, but it was not accepted by either his American or his New Zealand publisher.

Personal His great-grandmother was Hēni Te Kiri Karamu.

Novels by David Ballantyne The Cunninghams (1948) The Last Pioneer (1963) A Friend of the Family (1966) Sydney Bridge Upside Down (1968) The Talkback Man (1978) The Penfriend (1980) And the Glory (1983)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
David Watt Ballantyne

People in David Ballantyne's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped David Ballantyne's

Frequently asked questions

Who was David Ballantyne?

New Zealand journalist and writer (1924-1986)

When was David Ballantyne born?

David Ballantyne was born on 14 June 1924 in Auckland.

When did David Ballantyne die?

David Ballantyne died on 24 February 1986 in Auckland City.

What was David Ballantyne's occupation?

David Ballantyne was a journalist, novelist, writer and journalism.

What nationality was David Ballantyne?

David Ballantyne was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: David Ballantyne

· Wikidata: Q1173640

· DBpedia: David Ballantyne

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Ballantyne. https://biography.guide/david-ballantyne/

MLA: "David Ballantyne." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-ballantyne/.

Chicago: "David Ballantyne." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-ballantyne/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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