Secondary School Leavers Scholarship
Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa (TCA) and the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (NZSA) is proud to announce the launch of a significant new initiative for young writers: the TCA | NZSA Secondary School Leavers Scholarship.
Designed to nurture the next generation of New Zealand writers, this inaugural scholarship offers five grants of $2,000 each, split between the successful student and their school.
The scholarship aims to provide a foundation for students transitioning from secondary school to a tertiary arts degree.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Secondary School Leavers Scholarship
Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa and the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa are proud to announce the five recipients of the inaugural TCA | NZSA Secondary School Leavers Scholarship.
Congratulations to:
Elisa Cordner – Heretaunga College
Ankit Kafle – Shirley Boys’ High School
Bleys Robertson – Mairehau High School
Ruby Waetford – Epsom Girls Grammar School
Christina Wright – Avondale College
Our judges, award-winning authors Michelle Elvy and Shelley Burne-Field, were impressed by the incredible variety of writing submitted – from speculative fiction and creative nonfiction to historical stories, poetry and contemporary commentary.
Congratulations to all five writers, and to the schools and teachers who supported them. We can’t wait to see where their writing takes them next.
Read more about the successful applicants here.
How it works
Designed to nurture the next generation of New Zealand writers, this inaugural scholarship offers five grants of $2,000 each, split between the successful student and their school.
The scholarship aims to provide a foundation for students transitioning from secondary school to a tertiary arts degree.
- Applications must be submitted through the student’s school; each school is invited to nominate up to two candidates
- The nominated students will submit an original short story or work of fiction (500-2000 words)
- Year 12 and 13 students planning to leave school and enrol in a Level 5 or above arts degree can be nominated.
- The TCA| NZSA Secondary School Leavers Scholarship is available to students attending schools holding a current copyright licence with TCA. Check if your school is enrolled or needs to renew your licence at this link: Get Licensed | Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa
- There is a $30 application fee for this scholarship
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