The Royal Society of New Zealand Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing Shortlisted & Winning Entries 2009

Fiction

Winning Entry

• Katie Henderson, North Shore; Strandings

Judge's Comment:

“One of the fiction entries shone amongst all the others and offered new gems and nuances of story every time it was read. Strandings is a poignant, fresh, evocative and original story involving a whale, a karesansui garden and a suburban Auckland family. This well-crafted story sparkled with originality and was remarkable in its depth and the way so much character and story was conveyed in its 3000 words.”

Other Shortlisted Entries

• John Butcher, Auckland; Orientation Day
• Jennifer Maxwell, Akaroa; Sylvia’s Journey
• Elizabeth Farris, Paraparaumu; Supernova Man
• Wix Hutton (pen name), Nelson; The Haven
• Tracy Farr, Wellington; Greenwich, meantime
• Alison Glenny, Wellington; Astronomy for Amateurs
• Collin Minnaar (pen name), Paraparaumu; The Mighty One
• Louise Slocombe, Wellington; Afterlife
• Bill Morris, Port Chalmers; The Shore
• Katie Henderson, North Shore; Strandings

Non-fiction

Winning Entry

• Tina Makereti, Paraparaumu; Twitch

Judge's Comment:

“This piece stood out not only for the quality of writing but for its originality of material and the amount of new information it conveyed to the general reader. The author skillfully wove together Maori beliefs about the universe and its creation with current scientific interpretations, creating an interesting and engrossing story which fully explored the theme of "place in the universe".”

Other Shortlisted Entries

• Susanna Lyle, Kawakawa; How important are we – in the Universe?
• Graeme Putt, Auckland; Was the Universe created from leptons?
• Lindsey Dawson, Auckland; FAR OUT – is there anybody there?
• David Coulson, Christchurch; A look at the stars
• Phillip Donnell, Tauranga; No more congenial spot
• Cliff Fell, Motueka; With the Universe in Mind – An Acquaintance with the Night and an Index of Possibilities
• Tina Makereti, Paraparaumu; Twitch
• Janet McAllister, Auckland; Squarks, green peas and me: the small search for significance
• Malcolm Gunn, Wellington; Astrobiology – when it’s not all about us
• Claire Beynon, Dunedin; Double Portrait – Introducing the world’s smallest tree and the arcane biologist who would lay down his life for it