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The “worthy and admirable winner” of New Zealand’s richest short story competition has been announced, taking home $10,000. Anna Woods from Auckland was named winner of the 2023 Sargeson Prize with her short story ‘Pig Hunting’ on Saturday evening as part of the 20^th Annual Frank Sargeson Memorial Lecture at the University of Waikato. She also receives a two-week summer writing residency at the Sargeson Centre in Auckland.

Chief Judge Vincent O’Sullivan says, “Anna’s piece could not be more convincingly set in a compellingly detailed New Zealand. Its language is exact. Line by line, it is a triumph of restrained but focused style, honed for what it has to do. ‘Pig Hunting’ is there with ‘Millie’, one of Katherine Mansfield’s few ‘backblocks’ stories. It shares the same sense of growing pressure and remoteness and carries a comparable ambiguity until a final psychological clarity that challenges so much of what went before.”

“I have entered the Sargeson Prize every year since the prize started, so to win is a huge honour and milestone.”

The competition was also open to secondary school students, whose writing Vincent describes as unexpectedly mature.

“The students showed a sophistication in dealing with relationships, with family cross currents and with the constant challenge to personal values against conventions and current pressures that were light years in advance of either Sargeson’s generation or my own,” says Vincent.

“I was also struck by the deftness of the writing, the awareness of craft and its demands, the commitment to language that is good fiction’s driving force. It takes some writers a lifetime to know that. Here were teenagers who acknowledged that already.”

‘The Catastrophe of Swimming’, written by Tunmise Adebowale of St Hilda’s Collegiate School in Dunedin, was the winning entry in the Secondary Schools Division. Vincent remarked that he loved the subtlety and lightness of the tale, saying that it was a delight to read.

“‘The Catastrophe of Swimming’ deeply intrigued me. Not because it was about colonisation and its legacy, which to some extent it was, but because, in a sense, it assumed that as a given, with no need to hammer it home, allowing the story that it carried to be narrated delicately, humorously, a fairly casual event, even.”

As the Secondary Schools Division winner, Tunmise receives $2000 and a one-week summer writing residency at the University of Waikato, which includes mentoring, accommodation and meals. Tunmise says that winning the secondary school prize is an exciting opportunity to continue to hone her writing.

“If it weren’t for the encouragement from my friends and teachers, I wouldn’t have entered the prize this year.”

“Winning the prize and the writing residency with the University of Waikato means so much. I’m looking forward to challenging myself and improving my skills further.”

University of Waikato Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing and accomplished author Catherine Chidgey says the annual Sargeson Prize is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the talent and diversity of writers around the country.

“We received close to 1100 entries this year across the two categories, and it’s a delight to see new writers taking on the challenge alongside established names,” says Catherine.

The winning stories will be published by ReadingRoom, the literary branch of Newsroom. Entries for the 2024 competition open on 1 April 2024.

Global security involves managing a complex combination of law, ethics and politics. No situation exemplifies this more than what is happening now in Israel and Gaza.

When United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres coupled an unequivocal condemnation of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks with the observation that they “did not happen in a vacuum”, Israel was quick to react.

The country’s representative to the UN claimed Guterres’ words amounted to “tolerating terrorism” and demanded he resign.

Guterres was alluding to the Palestinian desire for political self-determination after more than 50 years of Israeli occupation in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.

But the fact such a statement can be so controversial is a sign of just how fraught the situation is now – and how limited New Zealand’s options are when it comes to influencing events.

Western leadership failing

After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the horrendous attacks by pledging a total war to eradicate Hamas in Gaza, and to do so “without political considerations”, the United States and European Union expressed unconditional support for Israel’s right to defend itself.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has again been hamstrung. Unable to reach a clear position on the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, the council is now struggling to agree on a resolution to end the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Last week, the US vetoed a draft resolution calling for a “humanitarian pause” to the fighting on the grounds it did not mention Israel’s right to self-defence, and that US diplomacy needed more time.

But as the humanitarian toll of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza became plain, the damage to Western leadership has been substantial. China and Russia, backed by many states in the developing world, were able to take the diplomatic initiative, demanding an immediate ceasefire.

Simultaneously, Iran’s repressive clerical regime and its militant ally, Hezbollah, took the chance to project themselves as defenders of the Palestinians. The risk of conflict in the Middle East widening has only increased.

Risks of escalation

For New Zealand and other liberal democracies that depend on an international rules-based order, the situation is very troubling.

The government has provided NZ$5 million in humanitarian aid to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. It has also indicated its support for a “humanitarian pause” in Gaza.

Carolyn Schwalger, New Zealand’s permanent representative at the UN called “for the immediate and unconditional release of all [Israeli] hostages”. She pledged support for “Israel’s right to defend itself, in full compliance with international law, including in respect of actions taken in Gaza”, and said “New Zealand remains committed to a two-state solution.”

These are welcome steps. But in the weeks and months ahead, New Zealand will need to be clear that unlimited military force, without a long-term vision for peace, cannot satisfy either Israel’s desire for security or the Palestinian quest for statehood.

We fear that recent positive developments – the release of some Israeli hostages and the trickle of humanitarian aid into Gaza from Egypt – will soon be overwhelmed as the death toll of innocent victims rapidly escalates.

The Netanyahu government’s utter determination to liquidate Hamas, even if it costs the lives of thousands of innocent Palestinians in Gaza, is at odds with Israel’s long-term need for regional peace.

Seeking peace

Fundamentally, the right of self-defence is not limitless. Israel’s iron grip on the provision of food, electricity and water to some 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza goes against the basic tenets of international law.

Collective punishment of civilians for the crimes of Hamas is not acceptable. Nor are indiscriminate, disproportionate or inhumane military actions. If they continue, the war will spread.

It may have no immediate or direct bearing on the current crisis, but New Zealand’s goal must be to work with regional powers, engage with Palestinian leadership that supports a peaceful path to statehood, and work towards stability in the region.

The  long cycles of unwanted occupation, blockade, provocation, vendetta, violence and counter-violence, must eventually be broken. For now, though, New Zealand must reassert its support for the laws of war as well as a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and actively work with others towards those ends.

Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato and Robert G. Patman, Professor of International Relations, University of Otago

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

October 16 was an important day for Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) president Lushomo Thebe.

It was when, after five years of study, the 23-year-old walked across the stage at The Pā to graduate with her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business degrees.

“It was a really exciting day, one that has been 13 years in the making,” says Lushomo, who arrived in New Zealand with her family from Zambia as a 10-year-old with just one suitcase.

Today, she is one of the most recognised and respected faces on campus. Alongside her role leading the WSU over the past two years, Lushomo has served on the University Council, and is involved in a variety of other leadership and governance roles at the University.

There have been big decisions to make, some with long-term impact for students and the wider University community.

“There have been some long nights, weekends away from home for national conferences, and my family and friends have been a huge support.”

When Lushomo first started at Waikato University in 2018, she didn’t foresee being so involved in leadership and governance roles.

“If you had told me when I was starting off that I’d have done half of the things I’ve done, or had half of the experiences I’ve had, I wouldn’t have believed you,” says Lushomo, who is grateful for the support of University leaders, including Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley, and Chancellor Sir Anand Satyanand.

On graduation day, Lushomo was supported by a large crowd of family and friends, including her parents, Clenny and Christine, and twin sisters, Silika and Chipego, who are first-year students at Waikato.

“My hope is that them seeing me walk across the stage is something that they can aspire to; I want to show them that if I can do it, they can do it too.”

“I’m really excited for the future,” says Lushomo, who will also be doing her professional legal studies course to be admitted as a solicitor and barrister in 2024.

Lushomo was initially attracted to Waikato University because she says its business school “was the best in the country”.

She soon developed a passion for law too, nurtured by lecturers such as Professor Al Gillespie and Professor Claire Breen.

Summer internships at Belly Gully and Chapman Tripp gave her valuable law industry experience and connections.

“My encouragement to people that are starting [university] is to just always be open for where that will take you.”

In 2022, Lushomo was named as one of the YWCA Y25, a global movement working for women’s empowerment, leadership and rights. She is a founding member of the Zambians in Aotearoa Association (ZIAA) and was an advisor to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“I am a big advocate and champion for migrant rights and for wāhine, and for women in leadership in particular.”

She currently mentors women in the Zambian community and is on the board of the YWCA at local and national levels. She is also in demand as a speaker, advisor and panelist on female, ethnic and rangatahi empowerment.

Lushomo says a highlight of her final year at University is seeing the completion of The Pā. As WSU president, she sat on committees and working groups for the project and is excited to see how the new building – which includes a Student Hub and new wharenui – will benefit current and future students.

“I remember when they were first breaking ground, it was my first year. So, I’ve journeyed alongside The Pā as it was being built during the past five years, and I’m graduating as it has been completed.”

Despite the long hours of work, Lushomo says her time at the University of Waikato has been very special.

“As cliché as it sounds, I think you have to be the change you wish to see. I saw things that needed to be done, or changed, and thought – hey, how about I give it a go?

“I don’t think I’m very different to anyone else – I think every other young person in our communities has the potential – they need the confidence to give it a go.

The University of Waikato has marked a historic moment with its first cohort of students to graduate at The Pā. This is the first time in the University’s 59-year history that it has hosted all Hamilton graduations on campus, having previously hosted ceremonies at Claudelands Events Centre and its own Te Kohinga Mārama Marae, as well as earlier at Hamilton’s Founders’ Memorial Theatre and at a number of marae across the region.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley says that hosting graduation at The Pā is a chance for the whole University community to come together and celebrate the success of its graduates, alongside whānau, friends and supporters, in an inspiring venue that is truly Waikato.

“Right back to the days of Founders Theatre, there has always been an aspiration that one day the University could host its own graduation ceremonies on campus and provide a full and memorable experience for students, from their first to their last day at university.

“As displayed today, the concept for graduation is unique to Waikato and reflective of how The Pā was designed, with students and the community at its heart. It included key elements and long-held traditions of the Claudelands and Te Kohinga Mārama Marae ceremonies, as well as incorporating new ideas and feedback from students and staff.”

The ceremonies began with a pōwhiri at 9am, with guests welcomed onto Ko Te Tangata, the University’s marae that is housed within The Pā. The ceremonies then took place in Te Āhurutanga, the Student Hub, which was transformed to deliver four intimate graduation ceremonies over the course of the day.

“It was an honour to welcome graduates, their whānau and the wider community to The Pā today to be part of this unique experience,” says Professor Quigley.

The Pā is the new centre of the Hamilton campus for students, staff and the wider community. It incorporates a new main entrance to the campus, a student hub (including food outlets and social learning spaces) and a new University marae. Its development reflects the University’s commitment to an integrated and accessible campus and a campus experience that includes social interaction, hospitality and culture.

It was perhaps inevitable that the shock Hamas attack on Israel would become a minor election sideshow in New Zealand. Less than a week from the polls, a crisis in the Middle East offered opposition parties a brief chance to criticise the foreign minister’s initial reaction.

But if it was a fleeting and fairly trivial moment in the heat of a campaign, the crisis itself is far from it – and it will test the foreign policy positions of whichever parties manage to form a government after Saturday.

It can be tempting to see the latest eruption of violence in Gaza and Israel as somehow “normal”, given the history of the region. But this is far from normal.

What appear to be intentional war crimes and crimes against humanity, involving the use of terror against citizens and guests of Israel, will provoke what will probably be an unprecedented response.

Israel’s declaration of war and formation of an emergency war cabinet – backed by threats to “wipe this thing called Hamas off the face of the Earth” – were the start. The bombardment and “complete siege” of Gaza, and preparation for a possible ground invasion, have catastrophic potential.

Hundreds of thousands may be forced towards Egypt or into the Mediterranean, with the fate of the hostages held by Hamas looking dire. Israel has now said there will be no humanitarian aid until the hostages are free.

There is a risk the war will spread over Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, with Hezbollah (backed by Iran) now involved. US President Joe Biden’s warning to Iran to “be careful”, and the deployment of a US carrier fleet to the Eastern Mediterranean, only ups the ante.

Rules of war

Given the suspension of some commercial flights to and from Israel, New Zealand’s most meaningful first response has been practical: arranging a special flight from Tel Aviv for citizens and their families currently in Israel or the Palestinian territories who wish to leave.

Beyond these immediate concerns, however, the world is divided. Outrage in the West is matched by support in Arab countries for Palestinian “resistance”. Despite US efforts to get a global consensus condemning the attack, the United Nations Security Council could not agree on a unified statement.

With no global consensus, New Zealand can do little more than assert and defend the established rules-based international order. This includes stating clearly that international humanitarian law and the rules of war are universal and must be applied impartially.

That’s akin to New Zealand’s position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine: the rules of war apply to all, both state and non-state forces (irrespective of whether those parties agree to them). War crimes are to be investigated, with accountability and consequences applied through the relevant international bodies.

This applies to crimes of terror, murder, hostage-taking and indiscriminate rocket attacks carried out by Hamas. But the government needs also to emphasise that war crimes do not justify further retaliatory war crimes.

Specifically, unless civilians take a direct part in the conflict, the distinction between them and combatants must be observed. Military action should be proportionate, with all feasible precautions taken to minimise incidental loss of civilian life.

International law prohibits collective punishments, and access for humanitarian relief should be permitted. To hold an entire population captive – as a siege of Gaza involves – for the crimes of a military organisation is not acceptable.

The two-state solution

It is also important that New Zealand carefully considers definitions of terrorism and legitimate force. Terrorists do not enjoy the political and legal legitimacy afforded by international law.

Unlike other members of the Five Eyes security network, New Zealand designates only the military wing of Hamas, not its political wing, as a prohibited “terrorist entity” under the Terrorism Suppression Act.

Whether this distinction is anything more than a fiction needs to be reviewed. If this were to change, it would mean the financing, participation in or recruitment to any branch of Hamas would be illegal. This might have implications for any future peace process, should Hamas be involved.

At some point, most people surely hope, the cycle of violence will end. The likeliest route to that will be the so-called “two-state solution”, requiring security guarantees for Israel, negotiated land swaps and careful management of Jerusalem’s holy sites.

New Zealand has long supported this initiative, despite its apparent diplomatic near-death status. An emergency meeting of the Arab League in Cairo this week urged Israel to resume talks to establish a viable Palestinian state, and China has also reiterated support such a solution.

New Zealand cannot stay silent when extreme, indiscriminate violence is committed by any group or nation. But joining any movement of like-minded nations to continue pushing for the two-state solution is still its best long-term strategy.

Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.