New doco Joy, Full & Fearless shines light on beloved author

By Radio NZ - Nine to Noon | Posted: Monday Sep 08, 2025

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She's one of our most prolific authors, with over 1100 titles to her name. Now a new documentary looks at the key moments in the life of Joy Cowley - who at age 89 and with her eyesight failing - is still pumping out the books.

Joy, Full & Fearless follows Joy's life - from a painful childhood, struggles learning to read and loveless first marriage to a love of motorbikes, planes, family and the written word.

It's full of behind-the-scenes photos and footage of Joy's life - and features many of her innumerable visits to schools and interaction with generations of Kiwi kids.

Susie Ferguson sat down with Joy on her visit to Wellington from Dunedin where she now lives, for the premiere of the film last week. She was joined by the documentary's director Clare Burgess - a long time friend of Joy's.

Watch here: RNZ Video | Documentaries, films and series about Aotearoa.