Dame Fiona Kidman

Dame Fiona Kidman (born 26 March 1940) is a distinguished New Zealand novelist, poet, and short story writer. Her literary work often delves into the experiences of women and societal outsiders, reflecting her commitment to social justice and feminist themes. Kidman's debut novel, A Breed of Women (1979), challenged societal norms and became a bestseller, marking the beginning of her influential career. Over the years, she has authored numerous novels, poetry collections, and short stories, including the award-winning This Mortal Boy (2018) .

Beyond her writing, Kidman has been a stalwart advocate for New Zealand literature, serving in leadership roles such as president of the New Zealand Society of Authors and the New Zealand Book Council . Her contributions have been recognized with several honors, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1988 and a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998 for services to literature .