Diana Noonan is a celebrated New Zealand author who has made a significant contribution to children's literature. Born in Dunedin in 1960, she attended Waihola Primary School and Tokomairiro High School before completing a degree in English at the University of Otago in 1980. She followed this with a teaching diploma and spent four years teaching in secondary schools before turning to writing full-time.
In 1993, Noonan was appointed Writer in Residence at the Dunedin College of Education. She also served as editor of the New Zealand School Journal for eight years, further solidifying her influence on educational and children’s publishing in New Zealand.
Her writing career includes a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles, many of which have been recognized with national awards. Among her most celebrated works is Quaky Cat, a picture book written in response to the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The book, which tells the story of a cat experiencing the disaster, raised over $150,000 for the Christchurch earthquake appeal through donated royalties. For this contribution, Noonan and illustrator Gavin Bishop received the North West Christchurch Award in 2012.
Over the years, Noonan has earned multiple accolades. Her picture books and non-fiction titles have frequently been finalists in the LIANZA Awards and the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. She won the Aim Children's Book Award for Best Junior Fiction in 1994 with A Dolphin in the Bay, and for Best Picture Book in 1995 with The Best Loved Bear. Her commitment to both storytelling and education was acknowledged in 2022 when she received the prestigious Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal, honoring her outstanding contribution to literature for young people in New Zealand.
Diana Noonan’s work continues to resonate with readers, educators, and critics alike, combining storytelling with empathy, environmental awareness, and educational value.