Talented young writers from across New Zealand have been recognised as winners of the 2026 League in Libraries competition delivered by Warriors Community Foundation with the support of Wright Family Foundation.
The competition encourages year 4–8 tamariki and rangatahi to strengthen their literacy skills by creating original stories inspired by rugby league and the One New Zealand Warriors.
The three supreme winners will have their stories professionally edited, illustrated and published as books.
They will also meet the One New Z Warriors and run the ball onto the field ahead of the club’s final NRL regular season match against the Sea Eagles at Go Media Stadium on 5 September.
Warriors Community Foundation CEO Lincoln Jefferson said the competition connects literacy with the excitement and mana of the One New Zealand Warriors.
“League in Libraries gives tamariki and rangatahi an opportunity to express their creativity, grow in confidence and see themselves as authors,” he said.
“We are incredibly proud of every young person who entered. We received hundreds of entries from across the motu.
‘For our supreme winners, watching their ideas become professionally published books and sharing the experience with their rugby league heroes will be something they remember for a lifetime.
“A big shout out to the Wright Family Foundation for continuing to support our creative writing competition.”
Wright Family Foundation manager Traci Fricker congratulated this year’s young writers.
“Supporting these rangatahi alongside the Warriors Community Foundation on their literacy journey is a true privilege for us,” she said.
“Having the opportunity to see their stories published, beautifully illustrated and brought to life with their rugby league heroes is pure magic.”
League in Libraries | 2026 winners
Year 4–6
Supreme winner: Sanne Mitchell | The Cathedral Grammar School | Ōtautahi Christchurch
Runner-up: Fern Gulliver | Maraetai Beach School | Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Joint third: Harper Clarke | Te Puna o Ararira – Ararira Springs Primary | Ōtautahi Christchurch and Puawai Warid | Bairds Mainfreight Primary School | Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Te Reo Māori
Supreme winner: Harrison Taylor-Katipa | Te Kura o Tuakau – Tuakau Primary School | Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Runner-up: Lulu Eagle | Tamatea Intermediate School | Napier
Third place: Huia Aranga | Te Waka Unua School | Ōtautahi Christchurch
Year 7–8
Supreme Winner: Gunhar Kaur | Papatoetoe Intermediate School | Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Runner-up: James Mangles | Whakatāne Intermediate School | Whakatāne
Third place: Kauri Bartlett | St Mary’s Catholic Primary School | Hastings
The 2027 League in Libraries competition will open on January 27, 2027, with entries closing on Friday, July 2, 2027.
