Te Pae Tawhiti Awards launched for spec fic writers

Speculative Fiction Writers of New Zealand (SpecFicNZ) has launched the Te Pae Tawhiti Awards for Aotearoa and Pasifika speculative fiction writers.

The awards will aim to spotlight local writers and ‘provide authors opportunities to reach wider audiences, boost their careers, and foster a thriving community’. Eligible works include genre fiction under the speculative fiction category such as ‘science fiction, fantasy, and other imaginative storytelling’.

Cultural commentator and creative Jade Kake explained the awards’ name: ‘Te pae tawhiti means a distant horizon – a metaphor for aiming high and imagining futures just beyond reach. It perfectly captures the spirit of speculative fiction. It reflects the genre’s essence of imagining possible futures and worlds. It also speaks to the boundless potential and limitless imagination of our writers.’

President of SpecFicNZ Sharon Manssen said, ‘Readers are often surprised at how many New Zealand authors write speculative fiction. Lack of awareness is a major issue, and these awards seek to change that. Making speculative fiction accessible and celebrated among young readers and mainstream audiences is core to our mission.’

Praising the initiative, author Nalini Singh said, ‘Awards play a critical role in uplifting new voices and stories that break boundaries. With support, Te Pae Tawhiti could become the South Pacific cousin to storied awards like the Hugo and Arthur C Clarke.’

A gala awards evening is planned for mid-2026.

More information about the awards is available on the website.

Category: Awards Local news