RAWA Fellowships
At RAWA we champion the creation of a vibrant arts culture in our local community by providing opportunities for learning and engagement. In 2024 we introduced the first RAWA Fellowships to enable writers of all ages to participate in our festival. In 2024, the Gough Family Foundation supported ten Young Writer Fellowships, and Copyright Licensing NZ supported ten adult RAWA Fellowships.
​​​RAWA Fellowships enable writers to enjoy and learn from the full experience of RAWA. It is a gift that recognises and encourages writers, who themselves enrich our lives through their work. Patronage within the arts is vital and by joining together we can make a big difference.
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‘The books we write and publish in Aotearoa make a rich and diverse contribution to our sense of who we are.’ (Jenny Nagle, CEO, NZSA). Yet writers are one of the poorest paid groups in New Zealand, according to Copyright NZ.
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In 2026, four adult fellowships will be supported by the following Friends of RAWA, individuals who have made donations specifically to support fellowships and workshops: Meredith Osmond, Deborah Morgan, Peter Guthrey, George Hook and Marie Connolly. We are deeply indebted to the 2026 Friends of RAWA for their support of writers in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In 2026, the Gough Family Foundation is also supporting our young writers once again. Ten Young Writer Fellowships will be awarded fellowships enabling them to enjoy the full experience of RAWA. ​
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Thank you to all our sponsors who make the fellowships possible!
All RAWA Fellows are eligible to submit an entry into the RAWA Flash Fiction Prize.
For further information contact rawafestival@icloud.com