The Bank of New Zealand Katherine Mansfield Award for 2004 is about to open. Entries must be unpublished stories and forms will be available online from 1 May 2004. Final date for submissions is 30 June 2004.

The short story awards commemorate Katherine Mansfield’s contribution to New Zealand literature and has been synonymous with the Bank of New Zealand (their longest-running sponsorship, since 1958). Since 2003 this has become an annual competition with an increase in prize money for the main award category from $5,000 to $10,000.

Past winners have included Maurice Shadbolt, Frank Sargeson and Keri Hulme. The winners’ stories of the 2003 awards are online and may be read by clicking here.