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Nominations for 2026 Sir Julius Vogel Awards now open!
Nominations for the 2026 Sir Julius Vogel awards are now being accepted. The nomination period will close at 11:59pm on 31 March 2026. The SJV awards recognise excellence in science fiction, fantasy, or horror works created by New Zealanders and New Zealand residents, and first published or released in the 2025 calendar year. Anyone can […]
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2026 Randell Cottage writer’s residency awarded to essa may ranapiri
The Randell Cottage Writers Trust is delighted to announce that essa may ranapiri has been selected as Aotearoa New Zealand Writer-in-Residence for 2026. They will take up the six- month residency in July, and will use this opportunity to work on their first novel, Te Rama Tuna | Eeling by Torchlight, a coming of age […]
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Call for entries: Rod Oram Memorial Essay Prize 2026
This is a callout to all young writers! To honour our great friend and esteemed colleague, Rod Oram, we are calling for essays from young people campaigning for a more equitable, sustainable and compassionate world. The closing date for entries is March 27, 2026, at 5pm. Rod Oram was a revered journalist and environmentalist, known […]
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Dawn McMillan newest Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)
Congratulations to Dawn McMillan who is the newest Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to children’s literature. A former teacher and much-loved author of both serious and humerous fiction and non-fiction for children, Dawn McMillan has created hundreds of books enjoyed throughout Aotearoa NZ and around the world. Her work, generosity […]
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Entries open for 2026 Ngaio Marsh Awards
Since 2010, the Ngaios have supported, highlighted and celebrated excellence in crime, mystery, and thriller writing from New Zealand storytellers, aka #yeahnoir In 2026 our Ngaios will be presented for: – Best Novel; – Best First-Novel; and – Best Kids/YA Book (biennial prize) Entries closes on 4 February 2026. For more information or to enter a […]
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Te Tupu Hauroa Development Grants 2026 open for applications now
Te Waka Taki Kōrero – Māori Literature Trust invites submissions from mid-career Māori writers seeking to undertake development opportunities between February – May 2026. There are two grants available to the value of $6,000 each. Established with the support of Creative New Zealand, Te Tupu Hauroa is the third step in the Trust’s Poutama Programme. The Pikihuia […]
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2026 Landfall Tauraka Essay & Young Writers’ Essay Prize
Writers from Aotearoa New Zealand are invited to submit essays that engage with and reflect on our culture. Join a tradition of bold, thought-provoking writing. Prize: NZ$3000 + 1-year Landfall Tauraka subscription. Entries: close 31 July 2026. The Landfall Tauraka Young Writers’ Essay Prize is an annual award open to writers aged 16 to 25. […]
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Creative writing prizes award “hilarious and terrifying” memoir plus “deeply humane” poetry work
Niamh Vaughan is this year’s winner of the prestigious Adam Foundation Prize in Creative Writing at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. The winner of the Biggs Family Prize for Poetry is Will Salmon. Niamh’s memoir, The World Reversed, was written as part of her Master of Arts in Creative Writing folio at the University’s International Institute of […]
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Friendship feature film script wins top prize
A feature film exploring female friendship has been awarded the 2025 David Carson-Parker Embassy Prize in Scriptwriting at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Written by Eva Brunel as part of her 2025 Master of Arts folio at the University’s International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML), the feature film Peephole is described by its examiners as “powerful, […]
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Oxbelly Retreat 2026 Fiction Writers Program
I am reaching out to share our open call for the Fiction Writers program of the 2026 Oxbelly Retreat, a gathering for international writers working in film and literature, to be held July 1 to 9 in Costa Navarino, Greece. The Fiction Writers program, led by Program Director Chigozie Obioma, supports ten emerging fictional prose writers committed […]
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Judges announced for 2026 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults
Teachers, librarians, authors, reviewers, former booksellers and passionate advocates for reading and te reo Māori make up the two experienced panels announced today by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust Te Ohu Tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa as judges of the 2026 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. The English and bilingual […]
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Winners of the Second Mercedes Webb-Pullman Poetry Award (2025) announced
The Webb-Pullman Family take great pleasure in announcing the honours for the second Mercedes Webb-Pullman Poetry Award, on the topic of RESISTANCE. The award was blind-judged by two poets: Fiona Bolger of Dublin, Ireland, and Piet Nieuwland of Whangarei, New Zealand. The winners, their country, and the title of their poem, are as follows: Winner: Ceridwyn Parr – […]
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