I am a zoologist and story-teller with a passion for New Zealand’s plants and animals. I am an award-winning nature writer, radio producer and wildlife film-maker.

I have written 30 books, and produced more than 1000 radio stories, six podcast series, 16 television documentaries, and four series of island expedition blogs.

In 2017 I was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to natural history, film-making and broadcasting.

Since 2021 I have worked as a freelance writer and radio producer.

BOOKS

(from most recent)

Takahē – bird of dreams Alison Ballance (Potton & Burton 2023). Longlist finalist for general non-fiction award in Ockham NZ Book Awards 2024; finalist Mountain and Adventure Heritage Award in the NZ Mountain Book Award 2024

Kākāpō – rescued from the brink of extinction Alison Ballance (Potton & Burton revised edition 2018)

New Zealand’s great white sharks – how science is revealing their secrets Alison Ballance (Potton & Burton 2017). Science communication certificate in 2017 Australian Whitley Awards, a 2018 Storylines Notable Book and non-fiction finalist in 2018 New Zealand Children’s Book Awards]

Kakapo - rescued from the brink of extinction Alison Ballance (Craig Potton Publishing 2010). Winner of the Royal Society of New Zealand 2011 Science Book Prize

Rare Wildlife of New Zealand Rod Morris and Alison Ballance (Random House 2008)

Southern Alps - nature and history of New Zealand's mountain world Alison Ballance (Random House 2007). Finalist in the Montana New Zealand Book Awards environment category 2008

Don Merton – the man who saved the black robin Alison Ballance (Raupo 2007)

Beautiful Birds of New Zealand Rod Morris and Alison Ballance (Random House 2006)

Dancing with Cranes – on location with a New Zealand wildlife film maker Alison Ballance (Longacre Press 2005)

Island Magic – wildlife of the South Seas Rod Morris and Alison Ballance (David Bateman 2003)

Animal Lifestyles Alison Ballance – series of 10 children’s books

titles: Builders, Burrowers, Climbers, Dark Dwellers, Divers, Fliers and Gliders, Spinners and Weavers, Swimmers, Thieves and Rascals, Travellers (Dominie Press 2002)

Habitats of the World Alison Ballance – series of 10 children’s books

titles: Deserts, Grasslands, Freshwater Habitats, Forests, Islands, Mountains, Polar Regions, Rocky Shores, Sandy Shores, Tropical Rainforests (Dominie Press 2000)

Hoki – the story of a kakapo Gideon Climo and Alison Ballance (Godwit Press 1997). Finalist in NZ Post Children’s Book Awards 1998. Hoki was written by me, based on the diaries and photos of DOC ranger Gideon Climo.

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