A. W. Reed Award for Contribution to New Zealand Literature

This award (previously the A.W. Reed Lifetime Achievement Award) recognises a writer who has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand literature and the New Zealand literary community.

It is now biennial and announced in conjunction with the Montana New Zealand Book Awards.

Children's books author Joy Cowley was presented with the award in 2004.

Previous recipients of this award are: 2002 Maurice Shadbolt, 2001 Dame Fiona Kidman, 2000 Allen Curnow, 1999 Lauris Edmond, 1998 Margaret Mahy.

It is managed and administered by Booksellers New Zealand.