Dictionary of New Zealand Biography

Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
Author(s)	General Editor, 1983-1990 Professor W. H. Oliver, General Editor, 1990-2003, Dr Claudia Orange, 1,239 individual contributors
Country	New Zealand
Language	English, Maori
Subject(s)	New Zealand biography
Genre(s)	Encyclopedia
Publisher	Auckland University Press
Publication date	1990-2000
Media type	5 volumes; also available on-line

The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography contains biographies for over 3,000 New Zealanders. It is available in both English and Maori. All volumes of the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography are available online.

Volume One, 1769–1869, published 1990	Nga Tangata Taumata Rau, 1769–1869, published 1990
Volume Two, 1870–1900, published 1993	Nga Tangata Taumata Rau, 1870–1900, published 1994
Volume Three, 1901–1920, published 1996	Nga Tangata Taumata Rau, 1901–1920, published 1996
Volume Four, 1921–1940, published 1998	Nga Tangata Taumata Rau, 1921–1940, published 1998
Volume Five, 1941–1960, published 2000 (out of print)	Nga Tangata Taumata Rau, 1941–1960, published 2000

The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography only includes biographies of people who have died. The editors believe that this helps to ensure that the biographies have an appropriate perspective. People who are regarded as sufficiently notable to be included in the Dictionary, are included in the volume whose dates reflect the period when they were making their most significant contribution to New Zealand society.

In 2007, the editors of the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography are working on Volume Six/Nga Tangata Taumata Rau 1961-1980, and are asking for nominations of people who were active in New Zealand at this time to be forwarded to them.[1]

Accolades

• In 1991, the first volume won the 1991 Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards.
• In 2002, Yahoo users in New Zealand and Australia voted the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography website "site of the year".

External links

• Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
• Dictionary of New Zealand Biography on the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage