Manukau Institute of Technology applauds Eleanor Catton

Manukau Institute of Technology applauds lecturer Eleanor Catton on her Man Booker Prize win

New Zealander writer Eleanor Catton has been named the winner of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel “The Luminaries” (Granta/VUP). Catton lectures in Creative Writing at the Manukau Institute of Technology in Auckland.

Catton is the youngest ever recipient of the esteemed international literary prize.

Manukau Institute of Technology Chief Executive, Peter Brothers says, “We are totally delighted to learn that Eleanor has won the Man Booker Prize.”

“Eleanor’s achievement will focus international attention on New Zealand literature and New Zealand writing. We are extremely proud that our creative writing students are learning their craft from one of the country’s leading literary voices,” he says.

Catton teaches Year 1 and 2 students studying towards their Bachelor of Creative Arts in Creative Writing at Manukau Institute of Technology.

Head of Creative Writing at Manukau Institute of Technology, Robert Sullivan says he was watching the live feed on BBC World this morning with Eleanor Catton’s students this morning. Catton teaches 30 creative writing students at Manukau Institute of Technology and mentors a group of 15 students closely.

“It’s amazing, it’s magic for Eleanor and for New Zealand Literature,” he says.

“Eleanor’s creative writing students have all had their sights raised by her winning this major international literary prize today,” says Richard Sullivan.

MIT students studying under Ms Catton are able to progress through to a degree level qualification in creative writing via the Institute’s Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing) programme.

MIT also offers a Diploma in Creative Writing (Level Five).

Ms Catton teaches both programmes in partnership with some of New Zealand’s most accomplished writers, including Professor Witi Ihimaera, Professor Albert Wendt, Robert Sullivan, Sue Orr, and Anne Kennedy.

ENDS

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