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Nga Kupu Maori Book Awards has created a separate politics category because of the number of books produced last year.
Judge Dr Darryn Joseph says the growth in the area captures the zeitgeist of people, politics and reconciliation in a post-settlement era.
Finalists in that category include Victoria University lecturer Carwyn Jones' New treaty, New Tradition: Reconciling New Zealand and Maori Law, the collection Reconciliation, Representation and Indigeneity – 'Biculturalism’ in Aotearoa New Zealand edited by Peter Adds and other, and Tupuna Awa: People and Politics of the Waikato River by Marama Muru-Lanning.
The history section is between a book on the first 10 years of Maori Television and one on Teina Pora's fight for justice, while the arts section includes Ngarino Ellis's book on Ngati porou carving traditions, an overview of Gottfried Lindauer's Maori portraits, and Ngai Tahu photographer Fiona Pardington's A Beautiful Hesitation.
Te reo Maori nominees are Te Mauri o Te Whare by Agnes McFarland and Taiarahia Black, and Mauri Ora: Wisdom from the Maori World by Peter Alsop & Te Rau Kupenga.
A collection of writing by indigenous scholars and a book looking at decolonisation in Aotearoa are up for the non-fiction award.
Creative writing entries include Someone's Mana, the poetry and art of Haare Williams with photography by Michael Krzanich edited by Witi Ihimaera, Stories of the Four Winds: Nga Hau e Wha by Brian and Robyn Bargh, and Daylight Second by Kelly Ann Morey.
Massey Assistant Vice-Chancellor Dr Charlotte Severne says the strength of the non-fiction category is a sign of an increasingly vibrant literary culture, as Maori culture, philosophies and, most importantly, language is recorded and shared.
There are 15 finalists in this year’s Maori book awards and winners will be announced at a ceremony at Te Papa in Wellington on November 8.
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