CAMBRIDGE AUTUMN FESTIVAL
2026 SHORT STORY COMPETITION
RESULTS
Sponsored by our amazing sponsor
Maurice Trapp Group
THANK YOU TO ALL ENTRANTS FOR ENTERING THE COMPETITION.
This year we celebrate the 15th year of the competition!
We love being able to provide a competition where people are inspired to write and share their stories. It wouldn’t happen without Maurice Trapp Group – our amazing Short Story Competition Sponsor. With their support, we are able to offer a free-to-enter competition with great prizes for kiwi writers – 1st Prize $1000, 2nd Prize $500, 3rd Prize $250.
For the first time this year there was no theme. Every other year, there has been a theme, or a starting sentence, that writers must follow. But not this year! Writers were free to write on any subject, up to a maximum of 1500 words. We received 593 entries in total.
THE 2026 WINNERS
The winners were awarded in Cambridge at the Festival Opening on Thurs, 19 March 2026.
The field of entries came from all around the country – from Whangarei to Invercargill.
Our 1st Prize winner was Terry Carson from Pukekohe, 2nd Prize winner was Ciaran Warner, and 3rd Prize winner was Bronwyn Elsmore.
If you would like to read the winning stories, click on the story links below:
| 1st Prize $1000 | Terry Carson | Father and Son |
| 2nd Prize $500 | Ciaran Warner | If You Keep Still |
| 3rd Prize $250 | Bronwyn Elsmore | Hīkoi |
Judges’ Comments
The judges commented the standard of the competition was high and it was hard to separate the final place getters, although the winner stood out.
The judges’ comments about the winning story: ‘Father and Son’
The structure was clever and the contrasting voices were authentically portrayed. It was a clever device of family secrets unfolding alongside public plaudits and platitudes at a funeral.
_______________________________________
Judges for the competition include:
Hamish Wright – Bookseller, former Chairman of Booksellers New Zealand
Venetia Sherson – Former Waikato Times Editor, journalist and author
Denise Irvine – Author and journalist
Jill Carter – Former teacher and passionate educationalist
Susan Gresson – Former teacher
