An observational short story which features a gay couple has won the 2008 BNZ Katherine Mansfield Premier Award.

Written by Christchurch-born, Melbourne-based writer Julian Novitz, Three Couples explores three relationships between people interconnected through family or work.

Set in Wellington, the story drips with dark humour and irony, with characters who are realistic, but entirely original.

GayNZ.com blogger Kitten Power has read the story. "It begins its look at a gay couple with 'Peni is thirty-two, Chris is twenty-three. They have been a couple for seven months, though Chris still sleeps with other people'. Novitz then writes that Peni, a lawyer, wants Chris to move in with him, but Chris knows that will never happen," she says.

"This sets up a delicious look at the relationship, along with those of two other couples. They hurtle towards an awkward group dinner, which provides a turning point for some."

The award was announced last night at Te Papa, with Novitz' story winning $10,000. He has already published two books - My Real Life and Other Stories and Holocaust Tours.