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.
Māori Literature comes in diverse forms and we are excited to widen our net of support to include a broader range of contemporary kaituhi Māori.
The Māori Literature Trust is proud to announce that we are expanding the Pikihuia genre categories. From 2023 the Pikihuia Awards will welcome submissions in the categories of Short Fiction, Short Non-Fiction and Poetry.
We foster and promote Māori writers
E tuhi, taki mai i te ao Māori ki te ao whānui
Taking Māori voices to the world
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.
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.
this is a post in three parts. the first was written in early October, when I was wrangling multiple deadlines at once. the second, a
Alice Te Punga Somerville (Te Āti Awa, Taranaki) is a scholar, acclaimed writer, poet and irredentist. She is a Professor in the Department of English
Jessica Hansell (Ngāpuhi, Samoa) is a writer, multimedia artist and musician from Auckland, long known by her rap nickname Coco Solid. She is the creator
The Pikihuia Awards are highly anticipated by writers, encouraging Māori storytelling, now firmly established in the literary calendar of Aotearoa. Held every two years, the
My Te Papa Tupu journey continues, and I continue to learn about myself and my writing. In August I was able to meet up with
Anahera Maire Gildea (Ngāti Tukorehe) is a writer and artivist. She has worked extensively as a visual and performing artist, writer, and teacher. Her
