King of Kiwi literature 'DAD'S GREATEST GIFT TO ME'

Bestselling writer Rachael had a legend to inspire her growing up

- Kasia De Vydt-Jillings

Rachael King vividly remembers the advice her late father, celebrated historian and writer Michael King, gave her when she was 31 and embarking on a Masters of creative writing.

“He said, ‘It’s really great you want to be a writer, but you should get a real job as well,” laughs Rachael, 54.

Michael’s most prominent title, The Penguin History of Aotearoa New Zealand, sold 300,000 copies, but many of those were after his death.

“He was writing very popular, important books, but each year, he didn’t know where his next income was coming from, so he was looking out for me,” she explains.

Rachael was 36 when her first book, The Sound of Butterflies, was released. Translated into eight languages, it became a bestseller.

“The only regret I have is I didn’t finish it while he was still alive,” she tells. “He died in 2004 and it came out in 2006. I had a draft, but I was waiting until it was better before I showed it to him.”

Michael passed away in a car accident at just 58 years old. The year before, he was named the New Zealand Herald’s 2003 New Zealander of the Year.

Remembering her beloved dad, Rachael shares some precious memories.