The Webb-Pullman family take great pleasure in announcing the honours for the inaugural Mercedes Webb-Pullman Poetry Award, on the theme of ‘Rebellion’.
Formerly of Paekākāriki, poet Mercedes Webb-Pullman passed away last year. Other residents may know her for her Paekākāriki FM radio show ‘Word’. She was much loved in this village. An award in her name has been launched and the winners announced. The award was blind-judged by two poets: Fióna Bolger of Dublin, Ireland, and Piet Nieuwland of Whangarei, New Zealand.
The winners, their country, and the title of their poem, are as follows:
Winner
Maraea Rakuraku – New Zealand – Hikoi
Runner-up
Mike Botur, New Zealand – Before The Shots Went Off
Other finalists (in alphabetical order)
Magdalena Ball, Australia – Free Association
Hal Judge, Australia – XR Now
Trish Veltman, New Zealand – Bicarbing the Fridge
Commended
Theresa Sjoquist, New Zealand – Defining the boundary
Caroline Barron, New Zealand – Pains back
From the judges
Piet and Fióna would like to applaud every poet who took part in this competition. The work was full of energy and insight. They were amazed at the variety of approaches and styles, from deeply personal, to historic reflections, to contemporary and ongoing political issues. Every poem had a ring of truth and freshness. Their task was not an easy one and they would love to read more from all of these strong voices. Please take this as an opportunity to continue rebelling against silence and the blank page.
The topic of the 2025 Mercedes Webb-Pullman Poetry Award will be ‘Struggle’. Entries will be open to poets from New Zealand, Australia and Palestine, and will be welcomed in indigenous languages but must have an accompanying English translation. Entries will close on 2 June 2025.
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