She’s been a Commonwealth Games medallist in swimming, reporter, full-time mother and pianist, but Tessa Duder is best known for her literary achievements. Last year, the author of nearly 50 books received both the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and the Prime Minister’s Award for fiction. Her Alex novels inspired a generation of young female readers, which she was compelled to write after finding an absence of books about “feisty girls” for her four daughters to read. The Weekly catches up with Tessa, 80, at her seaside home on Auckland’s North Shore.
‘I was sick of reading books with my daughters that showed girls as passive’
Can you tell us something from your childhood?
I was born at the beginning of the war in 1940, and my father had left to serve as a doctor in the Middle East and Italy for five years. But I’m lucky, he came home. So during those five years my mother and I lived in Palmerston North with my grandmother because there was very little money. He came back late one night and my grandmother sent me into their room the next morning with a Union Jack flag in my hand to meet my daddy. And I came roaring out again, saying, “There’s a strange man in Mummy’s bed!” When my aunt told me this story, she said it took me a few days to talk to him. But I had a very close relationship with my father all my life.
He had a remarkable career, too, didn’t he?
This story is from the June 28, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 28, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Five minutes with...ASHLYN TYMMS
Standing ovation! The Aussie opera star’s singing the praises of hot chips and Kiwi ski slopes
JESS NAILS THE PRIZE
The young tradie can also put out fires should the need arise!
MEET THE FAMOUS SIBLINGS
But are they each others’ biggest fans or foes? Here they spill some home truths!
Go get 'em, cowboy!
Beyoncé is riding high despite the controversy surrounding her new country album.
TRUE SPIRIT
The Kiwi actress is bravely battling a mystery illness
KIA ORA, BRAVE KING!
The King is determined not to let his cancer stop him from making a trip to New Zealand later this year.
Holiday time FUN REIGNS!
Take the good times outside and create a magical world full of fantasy and whimsy with these fab projects
Compost SOS PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Making compost is not an exact science. Each batch will be different due to the seasonal availability of scraps, the changes in the weather and variations in your compost management.
Crunch TIME!
These flaky, tasty crackers are ideal to serve to guests or to tuck into a lunchbox
'WE CAN SURVIVE ANYTHING'
Having beaten the odds, the multi-sport champ’s teaching others how to overcome dark times