Suzanne Lena Prentice CNZM OBE (born 19 September 1958 in Invercargill)1 is a New Zealand politician and country singer. Her most successful single "When I Dream" peaked at number 11 in New Zealand during 1982.
She recorded on 27 August 1977 with Allan Gardner and his Accordion Band live at the Marlborough RSA in Blenheim a two-album-set "Saturday Dance".
She stood as a candidate for the 2010 mayoral elections in Invercargill2 but was unsuccessful.
In 2016, she was presented with the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, the highest honour for a New Zealand entertainer.34
Discography
Charting albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS 5 | ||
| Dreamin' My Dreams |
|
55 |
| One Day At a Time |
|
46 |
| So Precious to Me |
|
91 |
| Songs from the Heart – 16 Beautiful Songs |
|
98 |
Awards and honours
Prentice has won three Golden guitar awards and was inducted into the Roll of Renown at the Tamworth Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA).6
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Dust On Mother's Bible | Female Vocalist of the Year | Won |
| 1977 | Sweet Country Music | Female Vocalist of the Year | Won |
| 1978 | How Great Thou Art | Female Vocalist of the Year | Won |
| 1983 | One Day At a Time | Top Selling | Won |
In the 1995 Birthday Honours, Prentice was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music.7 In the 2025 New Year Honours, she was appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to music and the community.8
References
References
- "Suzanne Prentice". www.countrymusichalloffame.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012.
- McNeilly, Hamish (17 April 2010). "The politician's a Prentice". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
- "Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc, 2016 Awards". 13 May 2013.
- "Prentice Honoured With Benny Award, Southland Express, October 2016".
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 237. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Past Winners". Country. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- "Queen's Birthday honours list 1995". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
- "New Year Honours 2025: the full list". The New Zealand Herald. 31 December 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.