Sir Hugh Kawharu Annual Writing Prize

The Sir Hugh Kawharu Foundation alongside the Polynesian Society have established an annual writing prize of $1500 NZD to commemorate Sir Hugh Kawharu’s significant contribution to Māori Studies, Anthropology and the Polynesian Society of which he was elected President in 1993.  

The purpose of the award is to recognise an outstanding article published in Waka Kuaka: Journal of the Polynesian Society. The prize will be awarded on the following criteria:  

• Displays originality of thought
• Has an impact on Māori or Pacific communities
• Demonstrates research and writing excellence.

To be considered for the prize, an article needs to be: 

• A full-length article (minimum of 5,000 words)
• Published in Waka Kuaka 

A selection committee consisting of the Editor(s) of Waka Kuaka, the President (or delegate) of the Polynesian Society, and a trustee of the Kawharu Foundation will decide the recipient of the prize each year. The committee will select the winning article from articles published in the 4 issues of Waka Kuaka from June to March for that year. However, the selection committee also reserves the right not to award the prize, for any reason.  

The prize will be presented at the AGM of the Polynesian Society each year.