Young Writers Invited to Submit for Rod Oram Memorial Essay Prize

Essays are now being accepted for the Rod Oram Memorial Essay Prize 2026, inviting young writers to explore themes of equity, sustainability, and compassion. This initiative honors the legacy of Rod Oram, a distinguished journalist and environmental advocate whose insights on business, government, and societal issues have left a lasting impact on Aotearoa New Zealand. The deadline for submissions is March 27, 2026, at 17:00 NZDT.

Rod Oram passed away in March 2024, leaving a significant void in the media landscape. His work highlighted the urgent need for change in how society interacts with the environment. In his inaugural column for Newsroom, he stated, “We see the deep damage we’re inflicting around the world. Ecosystems are suffering, societies are shattering, politics are polarising and economies are failing to deliver what we need.” This essay prize hopes to inspire the next generation of writers to continue his mission of advocating for a better world.

Essay Details and Submission Guidelines

Submissions are open to New Zealand citizens or residents under the age of 25. Writers are encouraged to respond to the prompt: What must we do – and do now – to ensure that future generations live well in Aotearoa New Zealand? Essays must adhere to the following criteria:

– Present an evidence-based argument, supported by current data on economics, society, and the environment.
– Offer solutions to clearly identified issues.
– Engage readers with a compelling writing style.
– Provide a unique perspective from Aotearoa while contextualizing it within global issues.

Participants may draw inspiration from Rod Oram’s extensive body of work on Newsroom and the various subjects he championed, such as innovation, climate change, and social equity. The prize encourages originality and personal reflection, mirroring Oram’s own style.

The winning essay will be awarded $1,000 and published on Newsroom.co.nz. Additional essays may also be published at the discretion of the editorial team.

Judging Panel and Important Dates

A distinguished panel will judge the entries, including:

– Vincent Heeringa, former publisher with over 20 years of experience collaborating with Oram on various publications.
– Anna Fifield, Asia-Pacific editor for the Washington Post and a long-time friend of Oram.
– Jonathan Milne, managing editor of Newsroom Pro, who worked alongside Oram at the Sunday Star-Times and Newsroom.
– Celeste Oram, composer and musician, and daughter of Rod and Lynn Oram.

The submission deadline is set for March 27, 2026, with a maximum word count of 1,500 words. Interested writers can submit their essays via email to [email protected].

This essay prize represents an opportunity for young voices to contribute to the dialogue around pressing global issues, continuing Rod Oram’s legacy of inquiry and advocacy for a sustainable future.