23 March 2026

dan davin literary awards 2026

Key dates

• Entries open Friday 1 May 2026
• Entries close Friday 31 July 2029​
• Awards ceremony Friday 25 September 2026

terms and conditions 2026

Welcome to the 2026 Dan Davin Literary Writing Competition. We warmly invite students and adults from across our region to share their creative writing and poetry.

Categories

Student Creative Writing

• Maximum 3 entries per student
• Word limit: 1000 – 1500 words per entry

 
Student Age Groups

• Senior Students:
  • Under 19 years (as at 31 December 2025)
  • Year 11 – 13 secondary students
• Junior Students:
  • Year 7 – 10 studying at secondary school

 
Open Poetry (Adults and Students) Written

• Maximum 3 entries per person
• Word limit: Each poem must be no more than 32 lines in length. The poem title is not included in the line count. 
• Adult entry fee: $10.00 per entry

​Audio/Recited Open Poetry

• Word limit: Each poem must be no more than 32 lines in length. The poem title is not included in the line count. 
• Maximum 3 audio entries per person
• The same poem may be entered in both Written and Audio categories
• Audio entries must be submitted as separate files
• Judging will be based on performance and poem, not recording quality
• Adult entry fee: $10.00 per entry

 
Awards:

• First Prize: $250
• Second Prize: $150
• Third Prize: $100

(Prizes awarded in all categories.)
 
Conditions of Entry

• Entries must be original, unpublished work.
• Writers must live in or have a home address in Southland province or in Queenstown, Glenorchy, Arrowtown, Tapanui, Heriot.
• Writers must register online and upload entries by the closing date.
• Students: No entry fee.
• Adults: $10.00 per entry payable via Internet Banking: 03-1746-0078140-00 (Ref: Reference: Initial and Surname
• Postal option available: Box 29, Invercargill 9840
• Entries must not defame any person or organisation or breach copyright.
• AI-generated or AI-assisted entries are not permitted.
• The Foundation reserves the right to publish any place-getting entry.
• Judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• For Open Poetry categories, all ages are judged together.

Entry Format

Written Entries

• Submit each entry as a separate .doc or Google Doc file.
• Font: Times New Roman, 12pt.
• Double line spacing.
• A4 page size.
• Include the title at the top of the first page.
• Do not include your name on the entry document.
• The file name must be the title of the entry.

Audio Entries

• Submit each entry as a separate .wav or .mp3 file
• Do not include your name on the entry document.
• The file name must be the title of the entry.

Audio Recording Tips

• Record in a quiet space where you will not be interrupted.
• Record your performance in one uninterrupted take.
• If a major mistake occurs, please re-record and submit your best take.
• Sound effects and music will not be judged.
• Judges will focus on:
  • Quality of writing
  • Delivery and performance
• It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure files are accessible and playable; files that cannot be opened or played will not be judged.
• Winning audio entries may be published on the website.

Deadline:

Entries close 5.00pm, Friday 31 July 2026

Final Results will be announced at the Awards Ceremony

Friday, 25th  September 2026
Kelvin Hotel, Invercargill
 
 

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Please read the terms and conditions before asking questions. Common queries about eligibility, formatting, deadlines, and submission guidelines are already covered there.
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To ensure fairness, we won’t respond to emails about information found in the competition rules. If you are unsure, double-check the terms before contacting us. 

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Dan Davin Literary Foundation | PO Box 29 | Invercargill 9840
Email: [email protected]
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