Nominations have just opened for the 2004 Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement, designed to honour New Zealand writers who have made a significant contribution to literature.

The annual awards have three categories - poetry, fiction and non-fiction - each worth $60,000. The inaugural winners last year were Hone Tuwhare (pictured), Janet Frame and Michael King.

Fiction includes novels, short stories, plays, children's fiction and scriptwriting. There are no restrictions in the subject matter for non-fiction, with literary quality being the main determinant.

You can download nomination forms from the Resources section of Creative New Zealand's website.

Nominated writers must be New Zealanders by birth or registration, and "should have written a body of work that has received nationwide acclaim".

Nominations close on 28 May 2004 and will then be assessed by a panel of judges. The judges’ recommendations will be forwarded to the Council of Creative New Zealand, for approval and the Awards will be announced late this year.