Ronald Hugh Morrieson Literary Awards 2022 WInners Announced

The Lysaght-Watt Trust Ronald Hugh Morrieson Literary Awards were held on the evening of Wednesday 19 October, in Hāwera.

This year’s judges, Airini Beautrais, Robert Sullivan and Matt Rilkoff, shared their thoughts on the overall calibre of entries, along with comments about each winning piece of work. The judges noted the works were very grounded in the South Taranaki landscape and, in some instances, brought Morrieson right back into the room.

The winners for this year are:

Short Story
Secondary School Section
First Place: “The Ugly Duckling” – Rosie Butler – New Plymouth Girls’ High School
Second Place: “The Adventure of Ricky Baker” – Bethany Gyde – Hāwera High School

Third Place: “Home” – Krishay Lal – Hāwera High School

Commended:

“Stouburn - A Real Town” – Jordan Dawson – Hāwera High School

“Operation Overlord” – Sahan Larsen – Ōpunakē High School

Open Section
First Place: “A casket made of flax” – Airana Ngarewa – Pātea
Second Place:“Cure” – Emma Hislop – New Plymouth
Third Place: “Recognition” – Bruce Finer – Hāwera

Commended:

“Ever had Yoghurt?” - Airana Ngarewa – Pātea

“Moments in Motherhood” – Molly McDonald – Hāwera

Poetry
Open Section
First Place: “Poi E Won’t Break Your Heart” – Airana Ngarewa - Pātea
Second Place: “Motoroa No. 4” – Mikaela Nyman – New Plymouth
Third Place: “Hot Tub” – Michaela Stoneman - Pātea

Commended:

“Unseen” – Frances Rookes – New Plymouth

Secondary School Section
First Place: “If I were a boy?” – Lexi McQuaig – Ōpunakē High School
Second Place: “Warmth” – Bethany Gyde – Hāwera High School
Third Place: “The Power of Kupu” – Aria Brophy – Ōpunakē High School

Commended:

“Eighteen” – Georgia Bryant – Taranaki Diocesan School for Girls

Research Article
First Place: “The Strange Object” – Hunter Quinn – New Plymouth Boys’ High School
Second Place: “The Bet” – Tin Tin Nguyen – New Plymouth Boys’ High School
Third Place: “The railway adventures” – Jerry Wei - New Plymouth Boys’ High School

Commended:

“Locomotion for the Hell of it” – James Anglesey - New Plymouth Boys’ High School

“Great-uncle George Armstrong” – Oliver Marsh - New Plymouth Boys’ High School

A copy of the finalist’s winning entries can be found in the 2022 Ronald Hugh Morrieson Literary Awards Finalist Book. You can order a copy from any South Taranaki LibraryPlus for $5.