Keri Hulme author page

Keri Hulme biography

Keri Hulme was a New Zealand author best known for her novel The Bone People. Born in Christchurch, she was of Māori (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe), Orkney Scots, and English descent. Hulme attended the University of Canterbury, where she began writing seriously. Her early work included poetry and short stories, some of which appeared in New Zealand literary journals.

The Bone People, Hulme’s debut novel, was published in 1984 by Spiral, a feminist collective. The novel explores themes of identity, isolation, and cultural heritage, and is set on the South Island of New Zealand. It received critical attention for its experimental style and its depiction of Māori and Pākehā relationships.

In 1985, The Bone People won the Booker Prize, making Hulme the first New Zealander to receive this award. The novel has since been recognised as a significant work in New Zealand literature and has been included in school and university curricula.

Hulme also published poetry and short fiction, including the collection Stonefish in 2004. Her writing often reflects her interest in Māori culture, mythology, and the New Zealand landscape.

A major milestone in Hulme’s career was winning the Booker Prize for The Bone People in 1985.