Tom Scott is widely regarded as one of the finest writers New Zealand has ever produced. He has authored best-selling books and been on the frontline on New Zealand journalism for decades. He has won numerous awards, including the Qantas Award for New Zealand Cartoonist of the Year (seven times), Columnist of the Year, and Political Columnist of the Year (three times). He also won scriptwriting awards for Fallout and for View from the Top. He co-wrote the screenplay for the animated feature Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale with the late Murray Ball. In 2001 he wrote the semi-autobiographical stage play, about his father, The Daylight Atheist which has since been performed by numerous theatres in New Zealand and Australia. In the 2006 New Year Honours, Scott was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand for services as a writer, journalist and illustrator. His television drama series and documentary on Ed Hillary have sold to a number of countries.