The Diwali Festival of Lights -- one of India’s best-loved festivals – celebrates its  eighth anniversary in Auckland and Wellington this October.

To mark the occasion, the Asia New Zealand Foundation and Cathay Pacific invite you to test your writing skills and be in to win a trip for two to India.

The rules are simple – all you have to do is write a short story of up to 800 words which includes the following four words: “Diwali”, “homecoming”, “lamington”, and “Cathay Pacific”.

There will be one national winner, whose name will be announced at the Auckland Diwali Festival of Lights, to be held on October 10-11 at the Eastern Viaduct. (The Wellington Diwali Festival will be held on October 18 at the TSB Bank Arena.)
Organised by Asia:NZ in partnership with Auckland and Wellington City Councils, the Diwali Festival is a celebration of the sights, sounds, fashion and food of India. Diwali signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and renewal of life.

The Rules:
  • Your entry must be your own work and no more than 800 words
  • Your story must contain the following words: “Diwali”; “homecoming”; “lamington”; and “Cathay Pacific”.
  • You must be 18 or over and resident in New Zealand.
  • You must include your full name, address, and phone number with your entry.
  • All entries should be submitted no later than September 15, 2009 to: Jennifer King, Culture Director, Asia New Zealand Foundation, P.O. Box 10144, Wellington. Alternatively entries may be emailed to communications@asianz.org.nz
  • The winners agree to take part in publicity as a result of the competition.
  • The judging panel's decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
What we are looking for:
Imaginative and stylish writing.

The prize:
An economy class return trip for two to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or Bangalore, flying Cathay Pacific.