iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Build your reading list! 1/2 Looking for great quick reads? We've got you sorted. Amazing speculative showcasing fantasy, horror, New Zealand culture, and a whole lot of heart. Winners announced at the Hamilton Book Month Award Gala, 22nd August! Ticket link: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/te-pae-...

Outstanding Achievement for Short Story finalists on a lime green background with purple and green tentacles and logos for: Te Pae Tawhiti, copyright New Zealand and Creative New Zealand.

2025 Te Pae Tawhiti Finalists
Short Story: The Cold Burns by Anne Wilkins
on a lime green background with purple and green tentacles
Quote: I make little ghosts with every outward breath. They float to the top of the hatch, where they disappear. It’s damn cold in here...

Published in Clarkesworld Magazine
December 2025
Logos for: Te Pae Tawhiti, copyright New Zealand and Creative New Zealand.

2025 Te Pae Tawhiti Finalists
Short Story: Wild@Heart by Michael Botur on a lime green background with purple and green tentacles

Quote: It’s January, a sizzling Saturday. We’re wrestling rubbish out the side of a cliff above the glittering Pauanui marina...

Speculative literary fiction
November 2025
Logos for: Te Pae Tawhiti, copyright New Zealand and Creative New Zealand.

123

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

As if our pannel couldn't get any more impressive, we are honoured to have Jade Kake join as for the award gala. An architect and writer and of Māori and Dutch descent, Jade's tribal affiliations are Ngāpuhi, Te Whakatōhea and Ngāti Whakaue. She is the author of ... (1/5)

111

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Gareth is a multi-class figure in the speculative world. A bookshop owner, award-winning author and DnD enthusiast, we are thrilled to have him join our pannelist discussion on The importance of Aotearoa speculative storytelling. Author of the Tarquin the Honest and ... (1/4) #nzbooks

100

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Te Pae Tawhiti is delighted to announce our spectacular key note speaker for our ingaual evening is none other than the stunning Pip Adams. Pip has come all the way from Wellington and will speak to us on 'A Speculative Journey'. We cannot wait! (1/2) #nzbooks

110

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Get to know the renowned David Hair, one of our pannelists featured in our inaugural award gala! An award-winning fantasy author from Hawkes Bay, David has 28 internationally published novels since 2010 (including three based on Greek mythology co-written with the fabulous... #nzbooks #booksky

140

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Meet Our Finalists: Michael Botur Michael Botur is one of our finalists for Outstanding Achievement for a Short Story with "Wild@Heart." And he's answered our question, "Why write speculative fiction?"

010

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Meet Our Finalists: Robinne L Weiss Robinne L Weiss is one of our four finalists for Outstanding Achievement for Middle Grade Fiction with "Draconic Search and Rescue." She's answered the question, "What’s the strangest place your writing has appeared? Find out more at robinneweiss.com.

120

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Meet Our Finalists: Douglas Perenara Johnston Douglas Perenara Johnston is one of our finalists for Outstanding Achievement for a Short Story with "A Day Lost in Time." And he's answered our question, "Why write speculative fiction?"

020

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Meet Our Finalists: Alex Lodge Alex Lodge is a finalist for Outstanding Achievement for an Adult Novel with "Lifelikeness" her powerful debut novel exploring humanity, artificial intelligence, and climate change.

020

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Meet Our Finalists: Shara Curlett Shara Curlett is one of our four finalists for Outstanding Achievement for Middle Grade Fiction with "Welcome to Miracle." And she's answered our question, "What's your writing secret?"

020

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Meet Our Finalists: Sonya Wilson Sonya Wilson is one of our four finalists for Outstanding Achievement for Middle Grade Fiction with "The Secret Green." And she's answered the question, "What is the secret to good writing?" Find out more about Sonya Wilson at: www.sonyakwilson.com

010

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Learn more about the phenomenal Pip Adams: The author of four novels: Audition (2023), Nothing to See (2020), The New Animals (2017) and I'm Working on a Building (2013); and the short story collection Everything We Hoped For (2010). (1/4) #booksnz #speculativefiction #tepaetawhitiawards

130

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Meet Our Finalists: Marie Cardno Marie Cardno is one of our four finalists for Outstanding Achievement for a Novella with "Dear Diary." And we're excited to share her writing secret and why she writes science fiction.

011

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Dont miss your chance to meet a NZ speculative fiction icon! Lee Murray (ONZM) is a writer, editor, poet and screenwriter, a Shirley Jackson Award and five-time Bram Stoker Award® winner. A USA Today bestselling author with more than forty titles to her credit, Lee holds... (1/4) #nzbooks

231

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Meet Our Finalists: Judy L Mohr! Judy L Mohr's a Finalist for Outstanding Achievement for an Adult Novel with her thrilling sci fi dystopian novel "Dancing in the Purple Rain." Find out more about Mohr and follow her crazy adventures on her blog (judylmohr.com) or on Instagram (@JudyLMohr).

030

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Got time for a quick read? We've got you covered! Our judges have hand picked NZ's best novellas for 2026 for you to build your TBR Winners will be announced at the Hamilton Book Month Award Gala, 22nd August Get your ticket now: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/te-pae-...

021

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

1/3 Calling all youth writers! Want to make your good story GREAT? Come along to this interactive workshop run by multi-award nominated author S. R. Manssen to explore the 4 building blocks of great speculative fiction. Tickets: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/make-yo...

Poster of Writing Building Blocks Workshop for years 11-13 with an image of S R Manssen framed in tentacles. And three dimensional blocks and stars.
Extra text: 22 Aug 9:30-10:30am Waikato University.

132

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

This horizon isn't so distant ;) Join us for the inaugural Te Pae Tawhiti Awards at our showcase gala! An evening of connection, celebration and communication! Moderator Lee Murray (ONZM) & expert panellists Pip Adam, Jade Kake, David Hair and Gareth Ward discuss how Aotearoa's speculative (1/2)

Te Pae Tawhiti award gala poster with a styalised gold honeycomb on a light green background to showcase the Te Pae Tawhiti Award gala panel with moderator Lee Murray (ONZM) and expert panellists Pip Adam, Jade Kake, David Hair and Gareth Ward.

Event details:
22nd August
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts

Logos: Hamilton book Month and Te Pae Tawhiti tentacle

144

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Build your reading list! Check out the diverse and inspiring titles that made our judges must-read list in the Collection/Anthology category and bump them up on your TBR. Winners will be announced at the Hamilton Book Month Award Gala, 22nd August. Ticket link in bio.

042

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Build your reading list! Check out which books our judges raved about in the Adult Fiction category and bump them up on your to-be-read list. Winners announced at the Hamilton Book Month Award Gala, 22nd August. Ticket link: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/te-pae-...

Purple starry sky poster with tentacles gracing the corners and the text:
"2025 Te Pae Tawhiti Outstanding Achievement for Adult Fiction Finalists."
With logos:
Te Pae Tawhiti, a book supported by a waka prow and a stylised tentacle.
Creative New Zealand Arts Council
Copyright NZ

051

Reposted by Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards

Kenneth Feller @authorkfeller.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Congrats to all the finalists! My TBR has grown🤘

021

Reposted by Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards

Douglas Perenara Johnston - Author @dpjohnstonauthor.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

I received my finalist certificate and bookmark for the Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards today, chur @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social

031

Reposted by Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards

Dave Jeffery @davebjeffery.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Ooh, @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social mail, courtesy of my dear friend and co-finalist, @leemurraywriter.bsky.social Thank you!! The motherboard ‘bookmark’ finalist trophy is very cool, indeed. Have a great day, everyone xxx

041

Reposted by Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards

Anne Wilkins - author @annewilkins.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I’m really honoured to be a finalist for Outstanding Achievement for a Short Story for the Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards here in New Zealand. Certificate has arrived, plus I get a cool bookmark! @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social

2132

Reposted by Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards

Rem Wigmore - Wolfpack out now! @remedy.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I love my beautiful certificate and trophy bookmark for Hound of Annwn being a Finalist in Outstanding Achievement for a Short Story in this year's Te Pae Tawhiti awards, NZ's new judged awards for speculative fiction! @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social @plotthoundmag.bsky.social

0112

Reposted by Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards

Andi @andiwrites.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Look at this shiny bookmark-trophy I got as a @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social finalist!

1172

Reposted by Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards

Arachne 🏳️‍🌈 @cayemarsh.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

FINALISTS ARE ANNOUNCED!!!

062

Reposted by Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards

Andi @andiwrites.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Delighted to be shortlisted in the novella category for the Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards! Congrats to everyone shortlisted.

1122

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Te Pae Tawhiti is proud to present the finalists of the 2025 awards! See the full list at: tepaetawhitiawards.nz/2025-te-pae-... Thank you to the committee and our judges for making these awards possible! #NZBooks

2025 Te Pae Tawhiti Finalists - Outstanding Achievement for Adult Novel

The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey
Lifelikeness by Alex Lodge
Dancing in the Purple Rain by Judy L Mohr
Galaxy Grifter by A. Zaykova

2025 Te Pae Tawhiit Finalists - Outstanding Achievement for Young Adult Fiction

The Lost Saint by Rachael Craw
Truth Needs No Colour by Heather McQuillan
Wyld Witch Weather by Janna Ruth

2025 Te Pae Tawhiit Finalists - Outstanding Achievement for Middle Grade Fiction

Draconic Search and Rescue by Robinne L Weiss
Eye of the Dragon by Susan Brocker
The Secret Green by Sonya Wilson
Welcome to Miracle by Shara Curlett

299

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Get to know our Judges! Meet Tim Jones, noted Wellington poet and cli-fi author and discover what made him fall in love with the speculative genre. tepaetawhitiawards.nz/getting-to-k...

032

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

We're officially in the final countdown! 4 days left! tepaetawhitiawards.nz/how-to-enter/ Authors of Aotearoa & the Pacific Islands, if your work is Fantasy, Scifi or Horror & was published in 2025, you need to hurry to enter Te Pae Tawhiti, New Zealand's premier judged speculative fiction awards

032

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Help shape the future of Aotearoa Speculative Fiction and be a judge for our inaugural year! All you need is a love of speculative works! We especially encourage diverse voices to apply! Put your name down by filling in an application here: tepaetawhitiawards.nz/te-pae-tawhi... #nzbooks

072

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards @tepaetawhitiawards.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Te Pae Tawhiti Distant Horizon Awards—Aotearoa New Zealand's first juried speculative fiction awards—are currently open to entries! We’re very excited to see this award make its way into the world and are encouraging New Zealand and Pasifika authors to submit in the following categories: 1/3

1189