2024 Writing Competition

As part of Beyond the Page 2024 we’re very excited to present the brand-new Tamariki Writing Competition!

The aim of this competition is to encourage you to get creative over the holidays and experiment with different kinds of storytelling – any form of writing around the theme will be accepted: plays, short stories, poetry, comics or anything else you can think of!

This year’s theme is “Exploration”.

The Beyond the Page 2024 Tamariki Writing Competition is open to anyone at primary school or intermediate with categories for ages 5-7 and 8-13. The top 10 entries in each of these categories will be published in a book.

Submissions will open on Friday 20 September (one week before the holidays!) so check back here then to submit online or download an entry form to print!

Submissions will close on Sunday 13 October at 6pm.

Terms and Conditions:

  • This competition is for tamariki aged 5-13.
  • Writing must be 2000 words or less.
  • Handwritten entries will NOT be accepted. All physical copies must be typed and all online entries must be uploaded in WORD, DOCX, or TXT format.
  • Writing must be original work, however fanfiction is allowed.
  • All formats accepted – plays, short-stories, comics and others.
  • Illustrations can be included.
  • You can submit a piece written by a group.
  • Entries must be submitted online or submitted with a physical form to a drop box at a participating library.
  • All physical submissions must be typed and double-spaced
  • All entries must be received by 6PM, Sunday 13 October 2024.
  • We will communicate with you via email if you are one of the winners.
  • No feedback will be given on entries submitted.

If you’re not sure where to start or need some inspiration, check out these writing exercises and activities: