Kete was saddened and shocked to learn of the passing of Kelly Ana Morey, award-winning author, historian, and reviewer. Kelly Ana's five novels were acclaimed, with her debut 'Bloom' winning the Hubert Church Best First Book Award. She also was the recipient of many awards, including the Janet Frame Award for Fiction in 2005, and the Grimshaw Sargeson Fellowship in 2023.

She was also a witty and honest commentator of the arts, and we were lucky at Kete to have her review books for us. See her reviews of Becky Manawatu's Kataraina, and of Una Cruickshank's Chthonic Cycle.

We send condolences to her whānau and friends, and to the many in Aotearoa's writing community who will miss her immensely.

Read more about Kelly Ana's career, writing, and life in these heartfelt tributes by Paula Morris and Andrew Paul Wood:

Aotearoa New Zealand Review of Books: Kelly Ana Morey 1968-2025
Big Idea: 'Sharp, Witty, Unapologetic' - Shock Loss of Acclaimed Writer