Te Pae Tawhiti Awards Set To Spotlight Aotearoa And Pasifika Speculative Fiction Talent

A groundbreaking new award dedicated to speculative fiction by Aotearoa and Pasifika creatives, the Te Pae Tawhiti Awards, is set to open for submissions this July-August. This exciting initiative aims to spotlight the rich and diverse speculative fiction talent in Aotearoa.

Speculative fiction — encompassing science fiction, fantasy, and other imaginative storytelling — has a vibrant but under-recognised community in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. According to a 2023 survey, over 100 speculative fiction writers are active locally, yet most readers struggle to name even one. The Te Pae Tawhiti Awards will provide vital exposure for these authors, helping elevate their profiles both at home and abroad.

“We are thrilled to announce this award for speculative fiction, which will be vital for our creative literary scene here in New Zealand,” said Sharon Manssen, President of SpecFicNZ. “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.”

The awards will not only enrich the literary landscape but also provide authors opportunities to reach wider audiences, boost their careers, and foster a thriving community. Jade Kake, a cultural commentator and creative, explains 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.”

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Supported by Creative New Zealand, Copyright Licensing New Zealand, and private sponsors, the awards seek to enrich the literary landscape by showcasing diverse voices — including those from rainbow, neurodivergent, and cultural minority communities.

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh praised the initiative, saying, “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.”

Literary commentator and founder of the Ngaio Awards for crime and thrillers, Craig Sisterson, called the awards "a wonderful initiative" that will help develop this vital slice of New Zealand’s literary landscape, while Melanie Laville-Moore of the Coalition of New Zealand Books affirmed, “Speculative fiction writers from Aotearoa are amongst the best in the world. These awards are overdue and necessary recognition.”

An inaugural gala awards evening is planned for June-July 2026, promising to become a highlight of the country’s literary calendar.

About Te Pae Tawhiti Awards:

The Te Pae Tawhiti Awards, a SpecFicNZ initiative, celebrate and inspire speculative fiction writers from Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands. The awards aim to enrich the local and international literary landscape, elevate authors’ careers, and foster a vibrant, inclusive community. For more information, visit https://tepaetawhitiawards.nz/

Call for Judges:

The Te Pae Tawhiti Committee is looking for readers and authors who are passionate about Speculative Fiction to be judges for Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizons Speculative Fiction Awards 2025. Judging will take place between October 2025 and April 2026. For more details visit https://tepaetawhitiawards.nz/te-pae-tawhiti-awards-judging-panel-information/

About Speculative Fiction Writers of New Zealand

Founded in 2010, SpecFicNZ has grown into a vibrant community of 163 members, committed to supporting speculative fiction writers at every stage of their journey. The organisation offers a wide range of programmes including podcasts, webinars, mentorships, youth events, and more, all designed to nurture talent and foster a sustainable literary culture. The creation of the Te Pae Tawhiti Awards marks a major milestone in SpecFicNZ’s mission to elevate the voices of Māori and Pasifika storytellers on the global stage.

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