Josh Morgan

2025 Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award Recipient

Iwi:: Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Te Whānau-a-Kai
Discipline:: Illustration
Awards:: Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award 2025
Highlight:: “As a long-time sufferer of self-doubt and imposter syndrome this is immense. I am still in disbelief. I am so beyond grateful, and I feel truly, truly honoured to be a recipient of the Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award. To have my name alongside the outrageously talented previous recipients (who I look up to and – I have to admit – have fanboy-ed on a few occasions) is unbelievable. I also feel greatly honoured to now be associated with the prestigious name Mallinson Rendel! Thank you so much to the very generous donors, the Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi and the panel for this taonga.

I feel so proud and fortunate to be part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s children’s literature whānau, and the children’s television, publishing and books communities. These groups have enriched my life in a myriad of ways (including our publisher, who became an unwitting match-maker, leading me to love and having children with my gorgeous partner!). I hope that with this award I can continue to play a part in the wonderful arts community and develop, share and practice my mahi to make a positive impact on Aotearoa New Zealand and its beautiful people, especially our tamariki. Thank you again. Mauri ora.”
Last Update:: 17/07/2025, 08:27 am

Josh Morgan

2025 Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award Recipient

Josh Morgan (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Te Whānau-a-Kai) is an illustrator and visual designer. He forms one half of the award-winning picture book duo Cotter & Morgan, alongside author Sacha Cotter. Together they write, illustrate, and perform their stories at festivals, schools, and libraries across Aotearoa. Their bilingual books – including The Bomb, Dazzlehands / Ringakōreko, and The Marble Maker / Te Kaihanga Māpere – have received numerous accolades, including the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year, Storylines Notable Book Awards, and international recognition from IBBY and Sourcebooks. Their work has also been adapted by the NZ Symphony Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

Josh grew up in Palmerston North and Feilding, where his love of books and drawing first took root. After studying design at Massey University, he cut his teeth illustrating posters and album covers for local bands. A stint at Wellington Public Libraries rekindled his love for picture books and sparked a new career path. Since illustrating his first book for HUIA in 2013, he has gone on to create artwork for books, animation, and TV, including One Bird Band, Rona, and The Māori Picture Dictionary: Te Papakupu Whakaahua. His illustrations are also featured in the School Journal, Kia Kaha, Māui’s Taonga Tales, and the UK edition of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera.

Josh and Sacha live in Wellington, with their family and a vast hoard of picture books.

Panel Statement:

"Josh Morgan’s illustrative work is an exemplar of all of the criteria for the Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award – both in its richness and range of depth and outstanding quality. The breadth and vigour of his work excites, inspires and engages inquisitive young minds to become life-long readers."

Sincere thanks to the generous selection panel for the 2025 The Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award: Sarah Wilkins (award-winning illustrator), John Walsh (artist) and Dr Libby Limbrick MNZM, Ph.D. (author, advocate and supporter of New Zealand children’s literature).