Pikihuia Awards Celebrate 30 Years of Māori Literature Growth

The Pikihuia Awards marked their 30th anniversary this year, showcasing a significant increase in the representation of Māori writers over the past three decades. The biennial awards, which celebrate Māori literature in both te reo and English, took place at Te Puia in Rotorua on March 10, 2024. The event highlighted the evolution of Māori storytelling and acknowledged the growing number of published Māori authors.

The most prestigious award of the evening, named after Keri Hulme, the only Māori recipient of the Booker Prize, was awarded to Becky Manawatu for her book Kataraina. Manawatu recently garnered additional recognition by winning the Sargeson Prize, New Zealand’s largest short story competition, taking home $15,000 for her entry, The Vase.

Celebrating Māori Voices in Literature

Robyn Bargh, chairperson of the Māori Literature Trust, noted that this year’s awards were particularly special as it was the first time they had been held in Rotorua, coinciding with the Kupu Māori Writers Festival. Bargh emphasized the awards’ mission: to increase Māori representation in literature and provide authors with opportunities to publish their work.

“Today, Māori literature reflects diverse experiences,” Bargh said. “We want to capture those narratives and encourage young writers to participate.” The introduction of the Tauira Award for student writers was a key step in this direction, with Tamihana Simmonds from Ōtaki winning the inaugural prize. His school, Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Rito, celebrated his achievement with a haka, underscoring the community’s pride.

Over the years, Bargh observed notable changes in the publishing landscape. She reflected on the awards’ inception in 1995, when the frequency of Māori publications was significantly lower. “You’d be lucky to have one Māori writer published a year. Now, we see numerous Māori writers as finalists in major awards, which was rare back then.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Māori Literature

The focus for the Māori Literature Trust moving forward is to enhance the quantity and quality of original works in te reo Māori. Bargh expressed concern that many current publications are translations rather than original compositions. “We are keen to see more works that reflect Māori perspectives and situations as they exist today,” she stated.

There is a growing body of original Māori language works being created for events like Te Matatini, and Bargh highlighted the necessity for avenues to publish these pieces. “These works build on our literary traditions of ngā mōteatea, which is our traditional literature,” she explained.

Bargh concluded by acknowledging the need for a wider range of forms in Māori literature, including novels, poetry, and short stories. The increased visibility and recognition of Māori writers are encouraging signs for the future of Māori literature, as exemplified by this year’s award winners.

The 2025 Pikihuia Award winners included:
– Keri Hulme Award: Becky Manawatu (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe, Waitaha) for Kataraina
– Poetry – te reo Māori: Aperahama Te Kapua-I-Waho Hurihanganui (Wairarapa, Te Arawa, Te Tai Rāwhiti) for Te Matatini
– Poetry – English: Shelley Burne-Field (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa) for skin
– Short Story – te reo Māori: Darryn Joseph (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Rereahu) for Te Hapori Whanokē
– Short Story – English: Mark Horsefield (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Rehia) for The Sea Within
– Tauira Short Story Award: Tamihana Simmonds (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Huri, Pikitū Marae) for The Price of War

The celebrations surrounding the 30th Pikihuia Awards highlight not only the achievements of individual writers but also the broader journey of Māori literature toward greater visibility and recognition.