AUNT NASTY'S new illustrator revealed

Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand, Little Moa, and the Margaret Mahy Estate are thrilled to announce Scarlett Robinson-Kean as the winner of the 2026 Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize for her reimagining of the bewitching classic Aunt Nasty.

The judges praised Scarlett’s fearless approach in experimenting with original layouts and characterisation, as well as 'the consideration of humour and attention to detail to make every character in the story unique — especially Aunt Nasty.'

'Scarlett’s interpretation of Aunt Nasty completely grabbed our attention. There were original attributes in her costume and an array of attitudes that made her feel accessible for a young audience. The storyboard was clearly and cleverly constructed, filled with action and drama.'

Little Moa Children’s Publisher, Alison Shucksmith applauded Robinson-Kean's strong and engaging visual storytelling. 'Her creative use of point-of-view angles and a brilliant use of colour set her work apart. We felt very confident in Scarlett ‘knowing’ and understanding her Aunt Nasty. We can’t wait to see her on shelves.'

Hachette Aotearoa NZ Managing Director Mel Winder says 'Aunt Nasty is one of my favourite aunties; who doesn’t have their very own Aunt Nasty! The opportunity to reimagine this classic story is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to seeing Scarlett Robinson-Kean’s interpretation of this much-loved classic.'

Scarlett is a freelance writer and illustrator based in Tāmaki Makaurau. In 2025 she completed her Master of Creative Practice at Unitec, receiving first-class honours for her research titled Wilding: The role of the bizarre in illustrated narratives. Her accompanying graphic novel, To seed, to sprout, to seed, a strange and twisting story about a girl with a plant growing in her chest, received a Bronze Pin at the 2025 Best Design Awards. In 2026 she received the Springboard Award for Illustration from The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi, under the mentorship of 2023 Laureate Giselle Clarkson.

Drawing on the wild and curious imaginations of tamariki, Scarlett’s practice seeks to capture a bit of that childish joy through illustration and storytelling. She is passionate about community, and believes in the accessibility of illustration – a deceptively simple craft with communication at its core. 

Scarlett wins a $2000 cash prize, $500 worth of Hachette books, and the opportunity to develop her submission into a published work.

Previous Winners

Launched in 2019, the Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize is one of New Zealand’s leading illustration awards, attracting over two thousand registrations with all winners going on to illustrate Margaret Mahy’s books.

Winner 2019 – Sarah Greig for The Boy with Two Shadows

Winner 2020 – Lily Emo for The Boy Who Made Things Up

Winner 2021 – Minrui Yang for There’s a King in the Cupboard 

Winner 2022 – Jessica Twohill for The Witch in the Cherry Tree

Winner 2023 – Alba Gil Celdran for 17 Kings and 42 Elephants

Winner 2024 – Herb MacDonald for The Great White Man-Eating Shark

Winner 2025 – Emma Collicott for The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate