RAWA Schools

RAWA welcomes young readers and writers along with its adult audience. Our support of young people aged 15-25 is reflected in the diverse programme offering and the benefits provided by age-specific fellowships. These initiatives and planned developments, in collaboration with local schools, are purposefully aiming to nurture a love of the literary arts in our tamariki and rangatahi.

In 2026, we are collaborating with the Akaroa Area School to bring acclaimed writers Gavin Bishop, Ross Calman and Melanie Dixon to Akaroa to work with aspiring young writers from the schools across Banks Peninsula.

Gavin Bishop is a children’s author and illustrator of more than 70 highly acclaimed books. He has an international and national reputation and his books have been translated into twelve languages and have won numerous awards. His work ranges from original stories to retellings of Maori myths, European fairy stories, and nursery rhymes. Gavin is coming to RAWA in 2026 where he will be working with younger children from across schools in Banks Peninsula.
 

Melanie Dixon is an award winning writer of short stories, flash fiction and novels for young adults. She has taught creative writing to both children and adults for many years and love supporting others on their writing journeys. Supported by RAWA, Melanie offered a flash fiction workshop for our young people that would prepare them for the festival in 2026.

Ross Calman is a widely renowned and respected writer of non-fiction. His book, The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which was written especially for young people, won the Margaret Mahy prize in 2025, and also the Elsie Locke Award for non-fiction. In 2025, Ross received the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in Non-fiction. We are delighted that Ross will be coming to RAWA in 2026 where he will also provide a workshop for young writers within the schools programme.

​

The RAWA School Programme is generously supported by the Orion Powerhouse Gallery in Akaroa.