The Tauranga-based author has sold more than nine million books during her career and has written 32 books in total, including the popular Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy. Her books, designed to be read out loud and rolled around on the tongue, are studied at university in language and literacy papers.
"You don't know you're covering numerous aspects of language, from sound patterning to nuclear tones and allophones. They are filled with humour and joy and have a level of chaos that children can easily relate to," said University Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford.
Dame Lynley said reader feedback was what kept her going and when academic recognition came unexpectedly in the form of an honorary doctorate, "one tends to feel that all one's Christmases have come at once".
Dame Lynley has won at least 10 literary awards, was awarded the Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 and this year made the decision to accept the title of Dame.
She will receive her honorary doctorate at a special ceremony on November 11.
