First Place Winner: Charlotte Prebble, Wā Ora Montessori School, Lower Hutt
Charlotte Prebble, author of the IWA 2019 Winning Essay, “Ihumātao, A Stand for the Land,” pictured with the Author and School Trophies, First Place Certificate and the $750 Prize Money.
Charlotte delivered a poignant and beautifully crafted exploration of the issues surrounding this important Protest.
Charlotte’s essay, “Ihumātao, A Stand for the Land, can be accessed in PDF form here.
Comments from the Judging Panel
Rebecca Emery: “A stand out essay written with feeling and fervor and with a deep understanding of Te Ao Māori. The effortless joining of ideas with phrases and poetry is very sophisticated. You have a truly beautiful writing voice that brings depth to a most important issue. Thank you for writing this in such an inspiring and generous way and very much from your own perspective. This piece could easily be published.”
Ryan Inglis: “A strikingly beautiful examination of the heart of this topic: connection. Clear, creative, and powerful. Points were delivered so expertly and cohesively that they became cemented in the reader’s mind, almost effortlessly. A simply glorious piece of writing that showcases an equal balance of heart and deep intelligence. The personal experiences were bravely and masterfully shared to help the piece flow and reinforce the theme of connection.”
Second Place Winner: Elise Paki, Berkley Normal Intermediate School, Hamilton.
Elise Paki, author of the IWA 2019 Second Place Winning Essay, “Te Pakiahipu,” pictured with the Second Place Certificate and the $200 Prize Money.
“My name is Elise Paki but I will never know what my name should have or could have truly been. Sometimes when I sign my last name, I wonder if I should be signing “Te Pakiahipu” instead.”
Elise’s exploration of the protest surrounding TVNZ’s 1995 suspension of Te Karere is written with clarity and feeling. A very personal exploration of this important issue and the wider implications.
Elise’s essay, “Te Pakiahipu,” can be accessed here in PDF form.
Comments from the Judging Panel
Ryan Inglis: “An excellent and heart-breaking personal exploration of the wider issue. Creative, thoughtful, and delivered with a strong voice. The clarity of the points and examples given are extremely well delivered. The personal connection to this vital issue was intensely laid bare. Beyond impressive. Tau ke!”
Rebecca Emery: “Great writing voice and language use. I have learnt a lot from this essay and I really like the sentiment about teaching Te Reo to the whanau. This is excellent writing coupled with powerful story telling. Thank you.”
Third Place Winner: Mitchell Young, Cathedral Grammar School, Christchurch.
Mitchell Young, author of the IWA 2019 Third Place Winning Essay, “Who Has the Power, 2019 Hong Kong Protest.”
Mitchell’s essay, can be accessed here in PDF form.
Expertly researched, Mitchell’s essay offered personal insights and narrative into the 2019 Hong Kong Protests as they unfolded in real time.