Pikihuia Awards Marks 30 Years of Celebrating Māori Literature

The Pikihuia Awards celebrated their 30th anniversary this year, highlighting a significant increase in the recognition of Māori writers. The biennial event took place at Te Puia in Rotorua on Sunday, acknowledging the contributions of writers in both te reo Māori and English.

Central to the evening was the Keri Hulme Award, named after the only Māori winner of the Booker Prize, which was awarded to Becky Manawatu for her book Kataraina. Manawatu has recently garnered attention for her talent, having also won The Sargeson Prize, New Zealand’s largest short story competition, receiving $15,000 for her work titled The Vase.

Celebrating Growth in Māori Literature

This year’s awards marked a milestone as it was the first time the ceremony was held in conjunction with the Kupu Māori Writers Festival. Robyn Bargh, chairperson of the Māori Literature Trust, emphasized the importance of these awards in promoting Māori stories and encouraging a new generation of writers. “Māori these days live in all different places and with all different experiences,” Bargh stated. “We really want our literature to capture all of those.”

The awards included a special Tauira (student) Award, which was presented to Tamihana Simmonds from Ōtaki. His school, Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Rito, celebrated his win with a traditional haka, illustrating the community’s pride and enthusiasm for his achievement.

Bargh reflected on the changes the last three decades have brought to Māori literature. “When we first set it up in 1995, you’d be lucky to have one Māori writer published a year,” she noted. “Now, there are many more Māori writers being published and winning awards. In recent National Book Awards, there are often half a dozen Māori writers as finalists.”

Future Aspirations for Māori Literature

Looking ahead, Bargh stated that the Māori Literature Trust aims to promote more original works in te reo Māori. Currently, many books published in Māori are translations from Pākehā or international authors. “We are keen to publish more original works in Māori that reflect Māori perspectives and contemporary situations,” she explained.

Bargh highlighted the growing number of Māori language works being created for Te Matatini, New Zealand’s premier kapa haka festival, and expressed the need to find ways to publish these original pieces. “These works contribute to our literary tradition of ngā mōteatea, which is our traditional literature,” she added.

The winners of the 2025 Pikihuia Awards included:

– Keri Hulme Award: Becky Manawatu (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe, Waitaha) for Kataraina
– Poetry in te reo Māori: Aperahama Te Kapua-I-Waho Hurihanganui (Wairarapa, Te Arawa, Te Tai Rāwhiti) for Te Matatini
– Poetry in English: Shelley Burne-Field (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Rarua, Te Ātiawa) for skin
– Short Story in te reo Māori: Darryn Joseph (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Rereahu) for Te Hapori Whanoke
– Short Story in English: Mark Horsefield (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Rehia) for The Sea Within
– Tauira Short Story Award: Tamihana Simmonds (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Huri, Pikitu Marae) for The Price of War

As the Pikihuia Awards continue to evolve, the emphasis remains on expanding Māori literature, fostering new talent, and ensuring that the stories of Māori people are told and celebrated.