Omexom staff places second in literary award

Omexom New Zealand is thrilled to share that one of our very own, Financial Business Partner Maria Wickens, has been awarded Second Place in the 2025 Sargeson Prize, New Zealand’s most prestigious short story competition. Her story, My Pal Mal, captivated the judges with its wit, originality, and vivid characterisation.

Established in 2019 by the University of Waikato, the Sargeson Prize is New Zealand’s largest short story competition. Named after the iconic Kiwi writer Frank Sargeson, the prize celebrates excellence in short fiction and is open to both emerging and established writers.

The Open Division, in which Maria competed, is open to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents aged 18 and over. Winners receive cash prizes and publication in ReadingRoom, the literary section of Newsroom. This year’s competition saw a record-breaking 1,470 entries, with 1,164 in the Open Division alone. The stories were judged by acclaimed author Elizabeth Knox, who praised the entries for their emotional depth and literary quality.

Maria, based in Wellington, is no stranger to the literary world. She first made waves with her novel Left of Centre, which won the 1993 Reed New Writers Fiction Award.

Since then, she has continued to build an impressive literary portfolio, with her latest novel Drown ’Em Like Puppies longlisted for the 2022 Michael Gifkins Prize.  Her short fiction has appeared in numerous international and local literary journals, showcasing her versatility and depth as a writer.

Maria’s story My Pal Mal will be published on ReadingRoom on 1st November! Her achievement reveals the often hidden creative talent within our organisation, and we couldn’t be prouder!