Nathan's essay, The Boys From Upper Junction, was in response to a competition sponsored by Minister of Veterans' Affairs Nathan Guy.
Year 13 pupils from around the country were asked to create a work on the theme "Why don't we remember the Battle of Passchendaele?" The battle was fought in 1917.
Nathan's great-great-great-grandfather, Alexander Potter, was a farmer from Upper Junction, near Dunedin, and 10 of his grandsons volunteered for the New Zealand army in World War 1. Four died and two were badly wounded.
For Nathan, the biggest realisation that came from his writing was the "futility of war".
He will travel to Auckland to receive his award tomorrow at the 95th Passchendaele commemorations.
Nathan plans to put his prize money towards fees at the University of Canterbury, where he hopes to study engineering next year.
