Judith Holloway

Ngā Puhi

1936 -

Judith Holloway was born in Taumarunui and was educated in the King Country and Wanganui. She attended Wellington Teachers’ College from 1953-54 and obtained a teaching certificate. She has worked as a primary and secondary teacher, a Polytechnic tutor, a broadcaster, editor, publishing manager for an educational publishing house, a TV and radio scriptwriter/editor, radio producer, journalist, book reviewer, and writer of children’s books, stories, articles and plays. She also runs workshops in writing books/stories for children and has devised a 10 assignment correspondence course for "Write by Writing", a company she co-owns with novelist Frances Cherry. Judith’s writing career began after writing her first story for the school journal in 1969. "These days I write mostly for radio and haven’t been sending anything to publishers. I write for the ‘Ears’ programme on Radio NZ. I like to write stories that empower people. Usually humorous, though. Not moral lectures. More ‘accepting’ stories or ‘doing something about a problem’ stories." In 1990 she was awarded The PEN Stout Research Fellowship and in 1991 she received an Arts Council Project Grant.

Biographical sources

  • Correspondence from Judith Holloway, 11 July, 1991.

    Children's literature

  • The Book of Kings. Wellington, N.Z.: Learning Media (School Publications Branch), 1969.
  • "Letters from Home." School Journal 2.4 (1974): 9-17.
  • Drawings by Christine Jarvis. When Minnie goes to the Health Camp she is the only one who receives no letters from home; she takes comfort from the other children’s letters by taking them without permission. When Minnie unexpectedly receives a letter from her family she finally confesses what she has done.
  • "Charlie Mung." School Journal 2.1 (1974): 28-35.
  • Drawings by Christine Jarvis. A story of eight-year old Chrissie Taylor who decides to live in a tree hut and change her name to Charlie Mung.
  • "...And the Magic..." School Journal 3.3 (1975): 63-64.
  • A story about magic.
  • "Jimmy, The Ghost-Catcher." School Journal 3.1 (1975): 14-24.
  • Illustrated by Tom Scott. This play focuses on the discussions of a mayor and six town councillors on ways to rid the Town Hall of its ghost.
  • "It’s a Goal!" Now For a Story 1. School Journal [Wellington, N.Z.: Learning Media (School Publications Branch)] , 1979. 2-7.
  • An illustrated guide on how to kick goals in rugby.
  • "Putting a Car Together." School Journal 1.4 (1979): 8-13.
  • A detailed description of assembling a car.
  • "Liz Brook - Photographer." School Journal 2.3 (1979): 35-41.
  • Photographs by Peter Bush. A profile of the work of news photographer Liz Brook.
  • "Looking for Trouble." School Journal 4.3 (1979): 19-25.
  • Holloway writes a profile of the work of Max Gaye, Port Agriculture Officer at the airport and port.
  • "Mr. Vlcek - Shoe Designer." School Journal 1.3 (1979): 24-28.
  • A step-by-step account of the construction of a shoe from the original design to the factory production.
  • "A Troupe of Dancers." School Journal 2.4 (1979): 3-12.
  • Photographs by Peter Bush. Holloway writes of a travelling dance troupe and describes their choreography of a dance based on Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. Holloway also provides a photographic sequence with brief text portraying the dancers’ depiction of “Max the King of the Wild Things.”
  • "The Worst Day of My Life." Stories for You. School Journal 3 (1979): 29-35.
  • Drawings by Lenka Vondruska. The nine-year old narrator recalls a terrible day at the swimming sports when despite being the clear favourite to win the two-length race he discovers just prior to the race that his mother has given him his sister’s bathing suit instead of his own.
  • "Making Pictures Move." School Journal 3.2 (1980): 26-36.
  • Photographs by Robin Morrison. Holloway writes of animated film-making after visiting Sam Harvey’s film animator’s studio in Auckland. She describes in detail the studio preparation of an animated film commissioned by Walt Disney Production on the dangers of alcohol abuse.
  • "Billy the Kid." School Journal 4.3 (1981): 8-11.
  • Drawings by Diane Toscano. The young narrator recounts how his little brother Billy saves him when he gets trapped in a cave.
  • "Talofa Hullo." School Journal 3.3 (1981): 2-9.
  • Drawings by Murray Grimsdale. This story highlights the difficulties faced by Samoan-born Tina in adapting to an English-speaking environment when she arrives in New Zealand .
  • No Boots. Wellington, N.Z.: School Publications Branch, Department of Education, 1986.
  • Photographs by Ans Westra and Peter Bush. A story of a young boy’s love of football which took precedence over his mother’s instructions to stay in bed because of his cold. The publication includes “Notes for Teachers” based on the trial and evaluation by Paul Patterson.
  • Little Miss Muffet (Tell Me a Story). Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1986.
  • Two Little Dickey Birds (Tell Me a Story). Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1986.
  • Where’s My Kitten (Tell Me a Story). Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1986.
  • Who Stole the Cookies (Tell Me a Story). Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1986.
  • Good Mother Hen. Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1988.
  • "The Accident." School Journal 4.1 (1990): 33-41. Rpt. in The Magpies Said: Stories and Poems from New Zealand. Ed. Dorothy Butler. Illus. Lyn Kriegler-Smith. Middlesex, England: Kestrel Books, 1980. 154-166.
  • The author writes that this is a true story told to her by her grandmother. The story recounts an accident involving the unpopular spoilt youngest daughter, Martha, who chopped off her little toe by accident. Her scared older sister bandaged it back on only to discover later that the toe reattached itself upside down.
  • "Designing a Carpet." School Journal 4.1 (1990): 26-29.
  • Holloway provides a detailed account of carpet design and manufacture.
  • "Hoha." School Journal 4.1 (1991): 27-35.
  • Illustrations by Deidre Gardiner. Jason learns about the importance of honesty.
  • Hine’s Rainbow. Wellington, N.Z.: Mallinson Rendel, 2001.
  • Te Kopere o Hine. Wellington, N.Z.: Mallinson Rendels, 2001.
  • Secrets and Spies. Levin, N.Z.: No.8 Books, 2007.

  • Non-fiction

  • By Mistake (Giggling). Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1986.
  • All Black: What’s It Like Being Mark Brooke-Cowden (Top People). Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1987. Set of 4.
  • Boxing Champ: What’s It Like Being Jimmy Peau (Top People). Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1987. Set of 4.
  • Concept Science, Living or Not Living, Living Things, Plant or Animal, Mammals are Animals, Birds are Animals, Insects are Animals, Spiders are Animals, Molluscs are Animals, Earthworms are Animals, Teachers Guide Book. Teacher Resource Pack. Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1987.
  • Emily and Turei: What’s It Like Being a Television Actor (Top People). Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1987. Set of 4.
  • When the Time is Right (Russell Road). Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1987.
  • "Calling Kiwikids." North and South June 1991: 9.
  • "Looking Back, Looking Forward Seminar." The New Zealand Women Writers’ Society July 1932-July 1991: Final Bulletin. Eds. Betty Bremmer and Joy Tonks. 14-15.
  • Holloway writes a report of an afternoon of readings and reminiscences at the Wellington Bridge Club at Tinakori Road following the closing of the New Zealand Women’s Writers’ Society on July 21, 1991. In this report Hollway writes of different members’ experiences of writing during the decades from the 1930s to the 1980s.
  • "Jack Lasenby - Fabulist." Listener 27 Jan 1992: 48-49.
  • "Troubled by Abuse of Truth." Sunday Times 4 April 1993: 9.
  • "A fat boy, a creek and personal responsibility." New Zealand Books 5.3 (1995): 22-24.
  • A first bilingual Māori Dictionary. Auckland, N.Z.: New House Publishers, 2001.

  • Other

  • Radio in NZ. Reed, 1974.
  • High Summer on the Heaphy Track. Auckland, N.Z.: Collins, 1978.
  • Writing Dictionary. Wellington, N.Z.: Nelson Price Milburn, 1986. Rpt. internationally in Canada and Australia.

  • Reviews

  • "Tall Tales And Truths From An Underrated Writer." Rev. of Dead Man’s Head, by Jack Lasenby. New Zealand Books 4.4 (1994): 1, 4.
  • "A Little Too Obvious." Rev. of Take it Easy, by David Hill. Rev. of Kick Back, by David Hill. Rev. of Curtain Up, by David Hill. Rev. of See Ya, Simon, by David Hill. New Zealand Books 5.4 (1995): 12-13.
  • "War For All Of Us." Rev. of The Bantam and the Soldier, by Jennifer Beck. New Zealand Books 6.2 (1996): 16.
  • Budd, Susan, Erik Olssen and Judith Holloway. "Books." Rev. of Full Circle: The History Of The St James, by David McGill. Rev. of King Of The Castle: A Biography Of William Larnach, by Fleur Snedden. Rev. of Tawa, by Elizabeth Knox. Dominion 28 Mar. 1998: 22.
  • "Dream-Like Book Avoids Deep Message." Rev. of The Vinter’s Luck, by Elizabeth Knox. Dominion 23 Jan. 1999: 20.
  • "The Flip Side Of Adventurousness." Rev. of Closed, stranger, by Kate De Goldi. Rev. of Hanging On Letting Go, by Helen Beaglehole. Rev. of The Shaman And The Droll, by Jack Lasenby. Rev. of Reaching Summit Peak, by Elizabeth Benney. New Zealand Books 10.3 (2000): 21-22.
  • "Books." Rev. of Lunch At The Storyteller’s Restaurant, by Gary Langford. Rev. of The Town at the Edge of the World, by Graeme Lay. Rev. of The Book of Cheerful Despair, by Ivan Bootham. Dominion 29 Jun. 2002: sup.7.

  • Sound recordings

  • Television Scripts
  • "Tell me a story." Children’s stories read between 1970-1971.
  • "A Bird in the Hand." One episode for "Moynahan." 1978-1979.
  • "Close to Home." Scripts written between 1974-1980.
  • A Matter of Choosing.
  • Hoha.
  • The Great Queen’s Birthday Shemozzle.
  • The Hong Kong Pencil.
  • The Match.
  • Father’s Day.