Celebrating stories in our two official written languages
The NZSA Top of the South Branch has successfully run a short story competition since 2007.
In 2022, the competition evolved into Te Tauihu Short Story Awards in recognition of the fact Aotearoa New Zealand has two official written languages: te reo Māori and English.
Our Te Tauihu Short Story Awards are open to writers throughout New Zealand. The competition runs annually and offers both Māori- and English-language sections, with their own awards.
Previously known as the Page & Blackmore Short Story Competition, the awards have been judged by a diverse range of acclaimed New Zealand writers each year, including Lee Murray ONZM, Elizabeth Knox CNZM, Gavin Bishop ONZM, Paula Morris MNZM, Rajorshi Chakraborti, Mandy Hagar, Stacey Morrison, Carl Nixon, Fiona Kidman and Renee.
Our small NZSA TOS committee are volunteers from the Te Tauihu writing community, who are committed to the success of the awards and dedicate numerous hours of mahi to making them happen.
The 2026 Te Tauihu Short Story Awards are now open. Entries close 20 September 2026.
We acknowledge the cultural guidance that Wakatu Incorporation provides to these awards and the support of the following organisations:
FOUNDATION GOLD SPONSOR:
FUNDER:
