September 16, 2013
Pikihuia awards inspire writers
The latest crop of Maori short stories has been harvested, with Pikihuia awards being handed out in what has become an important catalyst for Maori literature.
Brian Morris from Huia Publishers says there were a record 380 entries this year, including 180 in the English short story category.
That category was won by first time entrant Toni Pivac, a young mother from Whangarei, while the best short story in te reo Maori was by Tihema Baker of Ngati Raukawa, a repeat entrant.
Mr Morris says the Wellington-based writer is an example of someone finding their voice through the award.
"He entered as a secondary school student. That fact that he became a finalist became his inspiration to write and so he wrote in English, he wrote in Maori, and this year he won the Maori category. A lot of the writers are return writers but it's just the thing that gives them confidence to keep writing," he says.
The award for best novel extract written in English went to Tauranga writer Ann French for Crushing Butterflies, while Lisa Cherrington of Palmerston North got the prize for best short film script in English.
The Secondary Student Short Story Award winner was Hinerangi Curtis of Mt Albert, Auckland.
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