Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) has partnered with Booker Prize-winning author and New Zealand alumnus Shehan Karunatilaka at the Colombo International Book Fair (CIBF), bringing students, aspiring writers, educators and readers together through a series of literary engagements focused on storytelling, imagination and learning.
Karunatilaka, who studied at Whanganui Collegiate School and Massey University in New Zealand, has been engaging with school and university students, sharing insights into his writing journey and leading a special creative writing workshop for winners of the Education New Zealand Short Story Challenge.
His own experience of studying in New Zealand has given him a personal perspective on an education approach that encourages students to explore ideas, think independently, develop confidence and discover their own paths.
Karunatilaka said, “I’ve been fortunate to learn from teachers, mentors and artists who helped shape my writing. This collaboration lets me share some experiences with young writers and encourage them to keep reading, creating and questioning. If they’re dedicated to their craft, they may well discover new voices and unearth new stories.”
Author of the 2022 Booker Prize-winning novel The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, Karunatilaka is widely recognised for work that spans novels, short stories, journalism and screenwriting. His debut novel, Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew, won the Commonwealth Prize, the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature and the Gratiaen Prize.
The collaboration reflects Education New Zealand’s focus on an education experience that extends beyond academic achievement. New Zealand’s learner-centred approach encourages students to question ideas, engage with different perspectives, apply knowledge in real-world contexts and develop capabilities that remain valuable throughout their lives and careers. 
Shafra Hamid, final year student at CINEC Campus and one of the top 10 winners of the challenge said “The Education New Zealand Short Story Challenge pushed me to think more critically about my writing and helped me develop my own voice. Having the opportunity to learn from Shehan Karunatilaka and hear how he approaches storytelling has been incredibly valuable.”
Literature and storytelling form a natural part of this journey, with reading nurturing curiosity and cultural understanding, while writing develops communication, critical thinking and self-expression. This reflects the thinking behind Minds Made for More, which recognises that education is about more than academic achievement.
Through its participation at the Colombo International Book Fair, Education New Zealand is bringing together an internationally recognised author and emerging young writers to create meaningful conversations around literature, creativity and lifelong learning, while highlighting the wider benefits of an international education experience.
About Shehan Karunathilaka
Shehan Karunathilaka is an internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan author and the winner of the 2022 Booker Prize for The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida. Born in Galle and raised in Colombo, he was educated in Sri Lanka and New Zealand, including at Whanganui Collegiate School and Massey University, where he studied English literature. He has worked in advertising and written for international publications including The Guardian, Rolling Stone, GQ, National Geographic and Wisden. His debut novel, Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew, won the Commonwealth Book Prize, the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature and the Gratiaen Prize.
About Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency dedicated to helping New Zealand realise the social, cultural and economic benefits of international education. ENZ promotes New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and student experiences. With approximately 85 staff in 15 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s schools, English language providers, private training establishments, institutes of technology and polytechnics, and universities. Internationally, ENZ works with government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector.
