Winners Announced at Lysaght-Watt Trust RHM Literary Awards 2026
Taranaki’s literary talent was celebrated last night as the winners of the 2026 Lysaght-Watt Trust Ronald Hugh Morrieson Literary Awards were announced at a ceremony held at Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga.
This year’s judges, Tracey Slaughter, Glenn Colquhoun and Matt Rilkoff, praised the high calibre of entries received, noting that many of the standout works were deeply rooted in the South Taranaki landscape and reflected a strong sense of place.
One of the evening’s most remarkable achievements came from Lucy Crowley, who made competition history by becoming the first entrant to secure first, second and third place within the same category.
Congratulations to all winners and entrants whose creativity, storytelling and passion for writing continue to enrich Taranaki’s literary community.
Short Story - Open Section
First Place:
Lacey Long-Legs – Michaela Stoneman - Pātea
Second Place:
The Ocean’s Voice – Erana Hokopaura-Watkins – Hāwera
Third Place:
Blinds – Maria Taylor – Stratford
Highly Commended:
Customer Care – Pip Harrison – Hāwera
The Visit – Marlene Beech – New Plymouth
Short Story - Secondary School Section
First Place:
The Mountain That Left - Lucy Crowley – Te Paepae o Aotea
Second Place:
Persephone Season– Lucy Crowley – Te Paepae o Aotea
Third Place:
The Creek Did Not Care– Lucy Crowley – Te Paepae o Aotea
Highly Commended:
Eurydice – Lauren Kalin – Te Paepae o Aotea
My Mountain– Lauren Kalin – Te Paepae o Aotea
Seasons – Jasmin Kemsley – Ōpunakē High School
Poetry - Open Section
First Place:
West Coast Whitebaiter – Koren Miller – Hāwera
Second Place:
Clay a Mouth – Stuart Greenhill – Stratford
Third Place:
Chewing the Bone – Stuart Greenhill – Stratford
Poetry - Secondary School Section
First Place:
Small City Boy – Lucinda Moorby – Sacred Heart Girls’ College
Second Place:
The Geometry of an Internal Fog– Lucy Crowley – Te Paepae o Aotea
Third Place:
The Cow Across the Road – Lauren Kalin – Te Paepae o Aotea
True Story Category
First Place:
Retellings from a Humble Sandwhich Artist - Lauren Kalin – Te Paepae o Aotea
Second Place:
They Cry - Cole Lobban – New Plymouth Boys’ High School
Third Place:
The Teenage Dream – Kayla Malone - Sacred Heart Girls’ college
A copy of the finalist’s winning entries can be found in the 2026 Ronald Hugh Morrieson Literary Awards Finalist Book. You can order a copy from any South Taranaki LibraryPlus for $5.
