Emily's winning poem brings grisly battle to life

Emily McCarthy, 16, was judged the winner of the Battle of Gate Pa Commemorative Poetry Competition by poet laureate Vince O'Sullivan. Photo / George Novak

A sixteen-year-old's "true and convincing" tale of the Battle of Gate Pa won her the top prize in the battle's commemorative poetry competition.

Emily McCarthy, a Tauranga Girls' College student, beat out 19 other submissions with her poem entitled Now and Then - portraying how a grisly battle ground has now become a busy shopping centre in suburbia.

Emily said she had always had an interest in the history of the place she lives.

"It's important in our daily lives and I wanted to share that with everyone.

"I thought the contrast was interesting between how it used to be and how people just take it for granted now."

The competition was judged by current national poet laureate, Vince O'Sullivan.

Mr O'Sullivan said Emily's poem was written in a voice for a contemporary person.

"It was saying even if we forget where the battle was, the significance of the history hasn't diminished by our ignorance of that. Individually, the lines ran true and convincingly for me."

Organiser Buddy Mikaere said there were some great entries but he thought it was fantastic Emily won as "in a way, she is the target audience".

"To have someone write a poem that shows a mature grasp of the event is just fabulous."

The competition final was held at Elizabeth Street Cafe and Larder last night and the $1000 prize was sponsored by Eves Bayleys Realty.