New Zealand Writers

ANDREWS, Philip

A Rotorua writer who has written on many aspects of local history.

• Links
• KAPAI: Kids read about Philip here

ANDREWS, Philip (1938 - ) is a Rotorua writer who has published a novel, Terese (1967) and several volumes of history about the Rotorua district including Rotorua Streets (1999), Tarawera and the Terraces (1986), and Mokoia - A Brief History" (1992).

Of Ko Mata: The life in New Zealand of Anne Chapman, missionary at the Bay of Islands, Rotorua and Maketu 1830 - 1855 (1991), the Rotorua Daily Post writes, "Ko Mata is not only enlightening and informative, it is entertaining."

His most recent book is No Fear of Rusting (2001), a comprehensive biography of Reverend Thomas Chapman, about whom he has also written for The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Thomas Chapman was a missionary who came to New Zealand, learned Maori, preached, farmed and walked hundreds of miles evangelizing.

(KC.)

KAPAI

KIDS AUTHORS PICTURES AND INFORMATION

Some Questions for Philip Andrews.

Where do you live?

I live in Rotorua.

What sorts of books do you like to read?

Stories, histories, books about geology (rocks and fossils) and travel writing.

What is the best thing about being an author?

Putting ideas together and coming up with a completed book.

Some Questions for Primary School Students.

What sort of pets do you have?

Pet rocks.

Do you have a favourite food?

Caramel pie.

Do you play any games?

Scrabble.

What is the most fun thing about being an author?

Talking to people about my books.

Where do you like to go for your holidays?

Borneo, Great Britain, Jordan and the South Island of New Zealand.

What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?

I climbed into the ceiling area above the classroom.

Some Special Questions for Primary School Students.

How did you get started?

I won 3rd place in the Auckland Festival Short Story Competition for Teenagers in around 1954.

What advice would you give an aspiring writer?

Don’t talk about writing – WRITE. Then re-read your work and improve it.

Is it difficult to make a living as a writer in New Zealand?

Yes.

What were you like as a teenager?

Shy, I enjoyed cycling, reading, and making bound volumes out of my comics.