The Sargeson Prize – Short Story Competition

First offered in 2019, the Sargeson Prize is New Zealand’s biggest short story prize, sponsored by the University of Waikato. Named for celebrated New Zealand writer Frank Sargeson, the Prize was conceived by writer Catherine Chidgey, who also lectures in Writing Studies at the University.

There is no entry fee, and entries are limited to one per writer. Entries close at 11.59pm (NZST) on 30 June 2025.

If you have any questions that aren’t answered on this page or in the terms and conditions, please follow us on Facebook or X or email sargeson.prize@waikato.ac.nz

Secondary Schools Division

The Secondary Schools Division is open to students enrolled at a New Zealand secondary school, or home-schooled students, who are aged between 16 and 18 years on the date that competition entries close. Entries must be single stories of no more than 3000 words. They must be original, unpublished pieces of work.

• First Prize: $2,000

• Second Prize: $1,000

• Third Prize: $500

The winning story will be published by Newsroom in its literary section ReadingRoom.

The winner of the Secondary Schools Division will also be offered a one-week summer residency at the University of Waikato, to be taken up in January or February of the following year. The residency will include accommodation and meals at one of the University of Waikato Halls of Residence, a writing space in the School of Arts, and mentoring from postgraduate students and/or academic staff in the Writing Studies programme. If the winner is under 18 years of age, parental consent will be required.

Refer to this link for further information and to enter.

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