About the Monica Taylor Poetry Prize

The annual takahē Monica Taylor Poetry Prize honours the memory of poet Monica Taylor, with the generous assistance of her whānau, and with the kaupapa of encouraging new generations of poets.

Monica Taylor published three collections of poetry: Lookout (2005), Paper Boats (2009), and Under the Skin (2012), all with Steele Roberts.

takahē was also fortunate to publish Monica’s work in our pages, and every year we’re privileged to continue running this significant local poetry prize in her name.

Past winners:

2023: Austin Haynes—Kawkawe kōrero
2022: Laura Amsel—Father
2021: Claire Beynon—Today’s Sky
2020: Cindy Botha—From the Settlers’ Cemetery, Akaroa
2019: Jasmine O M Taylor—Ninox
2018: Robyn Maree Pickens—This house
2017: Ruth Hanover—The tent
2016: Jilin Sullivan—My mother at the edge of town
2015: Sue Wootton—Calling
2014: Paula King—the sound of floating vessels

Past judges:

2023: Robert Sullivan
2022: Airini Beautrais
2021: John Allison
2020: Siobhan Harvey
2019: Cilla McQueen
2018: James Norcliffe
2017: Elizabeth Smither
2016: Peter Bland
2015: Riemke Ensing
2014: David Howard

For full records of the longlists and shortlists for each year, see Past Competition Results.

For the latest information about the Monica Taylor Poetry Prize, check Competition News.