The life of New Zealand's most acclaimed and colourful children's author Margaret Mahy will be celebrated at a public service in Christchurch next week.
Mahy died in Christchurch on Monday, aged 76, three months after being diagnosed with cancer.
A public event, which will include a choir performance and readings, will be held from 2pm on Wednesday at the Geodome in Hagley Park.
Mahy penned more than 120 published works for children and young adults, including favourites The Lion in the Meadow, Maddigan's Quest, and The Man whose Mother was a Pirate.
She also received many awards during her decades as a writer, including the premier international children's literature prize the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
In 1993, Mahy was awarded New Zealand's highest honour, the New Zealand Order of Merit, which is held by only 20 people at a time.
Mahy spent a lot of time sharing her gift for writing with the children who loved her books. She is said to have replied to every letter she received.
Mahy, who was born in Whakatane, is survived by her two daughters and seven grandchildren.
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