24 March 2021
Short story awards named a ‘stepping stone to success’ for Māori writers.
First-time and emerging Māori writers are encouraged to enter the 2021 Pikihuia Awards. The short story awards, which occur every second year, have become known as a stepping stone to success for Māori writers. Chair of the Māori Literature Trust, Robyn Bargh, says, ‘We always look forward to hosting the Pikihuia Awards because it brings forth new and refreshing Māori voices. The awards have become an institution in New Zealand literature paving the way for new writing talent.’
Writer, Māori Literature Trust mentor, and AUT creative writing lecturer James George
Celebrated author James George speaks fondly of the awards saying, ‘The Pikihuia Awards provide an opportunity for aspiring writers to expand their reach and touch an audience “out there”, which is a crucial step in every writer’s journey. Participants see themselves in the company of good writers and build connections with other writers who are at a similar stage in their careers, which is invaluable.’
A winner in the 2001 Pikihuia Awards, George went on to publish his acclaimed novel Hummingbird two years later. George is not alone in the list of Māori writers who have gone on to find success after the awards. Tina Makereti, author of Once Upon a Time in Aotearoa and The Imaginary Lives of James Pōneke, was a winner at the awards in 2009. Steph Matuku, author of Flight of the Fantail and Whetū Toa and the Magician, was also a winner at the Pikihuia Awards in 2017 prior to being published.
Bargh says, ‘We’re committed to supporting the future writing careers that spring from the Pikihuia Awards. It’s those new and unique perspectives that ultimately shape New Zealand literature and sets us apart on the world stage.’ The Pikihuia short story awards is one of two programmes led by the Māori Literature Trust designed to support new Māori writers by identifying their talent, developing their skills and providing opportunities to be published.
Huia founder and Māori Literature Trust Chair Robyn Bargh
Those who enter the short story awards will be considered for publication in Huia Short Stories 14 – the next volume in the contemporary fiction series published by Huia Publishers. This opportunity exposes new and emerging writers to the publishing process, professional connections, and a community of Māori writers.
George speaks to the importance of building a community of Indigenous storytellers saying, ‘Our writing may be very different in style, in genre, in tone, or in ambitions. But, as Māori, there is a connection of past and present experience, a shared well from which our writing comes, irrespective of where it then frees itself to go.’ With no restrictions on theme, the Pikihuia Awards always attract a diverse range of creative writing from many different experiences.
The short stories will be judged across four categories: two for first-time writers and two for emerging writers in both Māori language and English language writing. The winner of each category will receive a cash prize of $2,000, and two highly commended finalists in each category will receive a cash prize of $500 each. The winners of the awards are announced at a ceremony in September, which Bargh describes as ‘a fantastic biennial celebration of Māori writers and their writing.’
Entries for the Pikihuia Awards close at 5:00pm on Monday 12 April 2021. For more information about how to enter go to mlt.org.nz
<https://mlt.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4679ae751ade28fa2753a0599&id=75e2026993&e=d83ccdfa58> .
The Pikihuia Awards 2021 are hosted by the Māori Literature Trust with the support of sponsors, Huia Publishers and Creative New Zealand.
