Maria Gill was born in Auckland, New Zealand. After migrating to Australia, for several years, she and her family lived in a caravan and travelled the outbacks. She later backpacked her way around the world. Her education includes being trained as a Primary school teacher. She has qualified with a Graduate Diploma in Journalism Studies and now also writes freelance journalism articles for the educational and literature markets, as well as educational books. Her children's books include, Bird's-eye View, Rangitoto, Save Our Seas, The Call of the Kokako, and many more. Her book, New Zealand Hall of Fame, won the non-fiction category of the Children's Choice awards in 2012. Her book ANZAC Heroes (illustrated by Marco Invancic), won the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award at the 2016 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults and it won the Elsie Locke Award for best nonfiction book.
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