Elizabeth Smither

Elizabeth Edwina Smither (born 15 September 1941) is a New Zealand poet, novelist and short story writer. She is best known for her poems, having published over fifteen poetry collections, received the New Zealand Book Award for poetry on three occasions, and served as the New Zealand Poet Laureate (2001–2003).

Life and career Smither was born in New Plymouth, and worked there part-time as a librarian.

Her first collection of poetry, Here Come the Clouds, was published in 1975, when she was in her mid-thirties. Her work has won numerous notable awards, including three times the top poetry award at the New Zealand Book Awards. In 2002, she was named the New Zealand Poet Laureate.

Awards 1987 Scholarship in Letters 1990 New Zealand Book Award for Poetry 2012 Landfall Essay Competition 2014 NZSA Janet Frame Memorial Award 2016 Sarah Broom Poetry Prize 2018 Ockhams New Zealand Book Award for Poetry