The Māori Literature Trust

E tuhi, taki mai i te ao
Māori ki te ao whānui

Taking Māori voices to the world

Established

Stories Published

Writers Published

Programmes Delivered

Taking Māori voices to the world

In 2000, we established this charitable trust to deliver programmes that promote and foster Māori literature and its place in the literature of the nation. Guided by our own cultural values, we seek to grow Māori writers’ skills, confidence and opportunity. We encourage Māori writers to stand tall as Māori and to support each other and become a strong force within the literary community of Aotearoa New Zealand.

2025 Pikihuia Awards: Submissions now closed

This year the Pikihuia Awards will celebrate 30 years of supporting and nurturing kaituhi Māori! Held biennially, the Pikihuia Awards have welcomed short story submissions in both te reo Māori and English. Following the exciting new categories introduced in 2023, The Māori Literature Trust is proud to announce that we are again adjusting the genre categories in response to feedback from the writing community and industry experts.

Summer Soundtrack Series 2025

When talking about their influences, writers often speak across creative mediums when discussing their creative inspirations. In our Q&A’s we love asking authors what waiata they would include in a soundtrack to accompany their pukapuka. To celebrate Hine Raumati, and to encourage you to read pukapuka Māori, we’ve asked writers to help us create a Summer Soundtrack Series. Check out our Spotify profile now to listen to the soundtrack playlists to accompany some of our favourite Māori books of the past year!

Expressions of Interest: Join Us in Taking Māori Voices to the World

Te Waka Taki Kōrero – the Māori Literature Trust is seeking passionate and skilled individuals to join our kaupapa, advancing the vision of ‘taking Māori voices to the world’.

We are calling for Expressions of Interest for two pivotal roles, each instrumental in fostering Māori storytelling and cultural advocacy. If you are a motivated professional who thrives in a high-trust environment, we want to hear from you!

OUR VALUES

Ngā Uaratanga

Tikanga Māori

We are always guided by our own cultural values, tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori. We are open to new ideas and innovation – building on the traditions of our tūpuna.

Tū Mai

We encourage Māori writers to stand tall as Māori. We acknowledge that it takes courage to share a story.
We stand beside and advocate for Māori writers.

Whakawhanaungatanga

We create opportunities to strengthen the collective of Māori writers and we nurture relationships with collaborators to build impact.

Whakatupu

We seek to grow Māori writers’ skills, confidence and opportunities. We actively promote Māori writers.

Tino Rangatiratanga

We seek independence and freedom to amplify Māori voices.

Our Mission
and Vision

Mission

We foster and promote Māori writers

Vision

E tuhi, taki mai i te ao Māori ki te ao whānui
Taking Māori voices to the world

Recent Books

A selection of books written by Māori authors who have participated in our Te Papa Tupu writers incubator and the finalists from the 2021 Pikihuia Short Story competition.