Take the 2026 Geoff Lealand Student Challenge to Win Epic Prizes
1st prize is $1,000 and there are four runner-up prizes of $250.
Enter by creating content that answers this question:
You might also want to consider any of these follow up questions:
- should AI be writing the news?
- is it OK to replace actors with AI?
- can generative AI be good for your writing?
- what about hallucinations?
- or the time-saving? or dead internet theory? or the effect on your brain? or AI psychosis? or the environment?
- would you use generative AI to create content?
The Geoff Lealand Student Challenge is open to all high-school students in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2026. Entries can be any type of content – essay, short story, music, short film, documentary, painting, podcast, news article, sculpture – you make it, we’ll accept it.
One entry per student. Written entries should not exceed 1000 words, audio/video entries should not exceed 10 minute, other formats should be comparable size.
The deadline to submit your entry is 11:59pm Sunday, 2 August 2026.
Generative AI policy: You can be in favour or against AI or not have an opinion. What you do need to know is that the judges are looking for original, thoughtful, humorous, creative or intelligent content that answers the question and/or follow up questions. Be warned that generative AI can impact the quality and originality of your work and our judges are good at spotting it (after much experience). You are allowed to use AI to help create your entry BUT you must clearly state in your entry email all the details of how you used generative AI and where it is in your work. The judges won't mark you down for using AI, so long as it doesn't replace your own thought, imagination and skill.
OK! Start thinking, planning and making. We can’t wait to see what you come up with.
To submit your entry, HIT THIS LINK to email your entry and details to us.