Writing awards finalists revealed

Finalists for the Ronald Hugh Morrieson Writing Awards, Taranaki’s premier literary competition, have been announced.

A bumper 237 entries have kept this year’s judges busy since the competition closed in August.

There are five categories in the awards: secondary school poetry and short story categories, the open section poetry and short story categories and the secondary school research article category.

Research article judge Matt Rilkoff said this year’s entries demonstrated how many fascinating people live among us. ‘‘It is a courageous thing to allow someone into your trust to tell such a personal story as that of your life.’’

Short story judge Rachel Stedman said there was a lot of energy, and in general, action seemed to be central to many entrant’s plots.

Poetry judge Apirana Taylor congratulated every entrant.

The awards ceremony is being held at the TSB Hub in Hawera on October 25, and it is open to anyone.

Secondary School finalists (all categories):

❚ Hawera High School: Niall Clancy, Maddison Cossey, Sasha Finer, Noah Hunt, Heather Phillips, Yani Remoto, Georgia Sparks.

❚ Patea Area School: Denzal

Adlam.

❚ St Mary’s Diocesan School: Hope Baker, Courtney Hatcher, Megan Jackson.

❚ Sacred Heart Girls’ College: Nell Brown.

❚ Opunake High School: Puaawai Meihana Eiffe, Ashley Harrop , Stevee-Jai Kelly.

❚ New Plymouth Girls’ High School: Myah Kemsley.

Open Finalists (all categories): Elizabeth Bridgeman, New Plymouth; Nell Brown, Sacred Heart Girls’ College; Emma Collins, Stratford; Maria Cunningham, Hawera; Anya Darling, Sacred Heart Girls’ College; Bruce Finer, Hawera; Stuart Greenhill, Stratford; Pip Harrison, Hawera; Janet Hunt, Inglewood.