Entries are now open for the 2025 Sargeson Prize, New Zealand’s most prestigious short story competition, with a newly increased first prize of $15,000. Now in its seventh year, the Sargeson Prize, named in honour of iconic New Zealand writer Frank Sargeson, was established by award-winning author and University of Waikato Associate Professor Catherine Chidgey.
This year’s judge, Elizabeth Knox CNZM, DLitt (Hons) is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated and imaginative writers. She is the author of thirteen novels, including The Vintner’s Luck, Dreamhunter, and The Absolute Book. Her latest novel, Kings of this World, will be released in September.
The competition features two divisions, Open and Secondary Schools, with all entries judged blind. The winner of the Secondary Schools Division will receive $2,000 and a one-week summer writing residency at the University of Waikato. This includes mentoring, accommodation, and meals.
The competition attracted a record 1,306 entries across both divisions in 2024. The winning stories are published by ReadingRoom, Newsroom’s literary platform edited by Steve Braunias.
Entries for the 2025 Sargeson Prize close 30 June 2025. Submission criteria and entry details are available on the University of Waikato website.
'Novels stand outside time, with their narrative structure of beginning, middle and end. They outlast politics, which are by nature ephemeral, swift and changeable and can quickly become invisible, detectable only to the skilled eye. ' - Fiona Farrell