Māori Storytellers Honoured at Ngā Kupu Ora Awards

Māori Storytellers Honoured at Ngā Kupu Ora Awards

Māori storytellers were honoured last night at Massey University’s Ngā Kupu Ora Awards: Celebrating Māori Books and Journalism.

While wahine dominated the journalism awards, it was another bumper year for non-fiction writers with five of the six categories dedicated to the genre.

The newest category, Te Kōrero Tōrangapū - Non-Fiction Politics, was won by Carwyn Jones for his book New treaty, New Tradition: Reconciling New Zealand and Māori Law, published by Victoria University Press. Judges described this book as one of the most important written on Treaty policy and Māori law in the last thirty years.

A book currently being adapted for screen, In Dark Places: The confessions of Teina Pora and an ex-cop's fight for justice, written by Michael Bennett and published by Paul Little Books, won the Te Kōrero O Mua/Te Haurongo - Biography/History section.

Winners and finalists - Renee Kahukura Iosefa, Ripeka Timutimu, Maiki Sherman, Wena Harawira, Heeni Brown, Oriini Kaipara

In the Māori journalism awards, Renee Kahukura Iosefa was named Māori Journalist of the Year for her 2016 story on Māori Television’s Native Affairs that saw the then-New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd out himself as a recovering racist, sparking a national debate on racism.

Pioneering journalist Wena Harawira was awarded Te Tohu a Tanara Whairiri Kitawhiti Ngata – Lifetime Achievement. Ms Harawira was only 19 in 1980 when she became the first woman to work on TVNZ’s fledgling Māori news service alongside the legendary Whai Ngata in whose name this award is bestowed. She’s since worked in nearly every aspect of the industry and is respected not only for her great storytelling abilities but also for the many journalists she has nurtured and inspired. Presenting the award Associate Minister of Māori Development Willie Jackson said even as a young reporter Ms Harawira had been impressive and he praised her dedication and storytelling skill.

The Ngā Kupu Ora Awards were established by Massey University in 2009 to celebrate and encourage excellence in Māori literature and publishing and last year were extended to include journalism.

The full list of winners in the 2017 Ngā Kupu Ora Awards: Celebrating Māori Books and Journalism follows -

Ngā Kupu Ora – Books

TE REO MĀORI

Te Mauri o Te Whare

Authors Agnes McFarland; rāua ko Taiarahia Black

Publisher NZCER Press

TE KŌRERO PONO - NON-FICTION

Decolonisation in Aotearoa: Education, research

and practice

Edited by Jessica Hutchings and Jenny Lee-Morgan

Publisher NZCER Press

TE KŌRERO TŌRANGAPŪ - NON-FICTION POLITICS

New treaty, New Tradition: Reconciling New Zealand

and Māori Law

Author Carwyn Jones

Publisher Victoria University Press

TE KŌRERO O MUA/TE HAURONGO - BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY

In Dark Places: The confessions of Teina Pora and

an ex-cop's fight for justice

Author Michael Bennett

Publisher Paul Little Books

TE MAHI TOI - ART

A Whakapapa of Tradition: One Hundred Years

of Ngati Porou Carving, 1830-1930

Author Ngarino Ellis, with new photography by Natalie Robertson

Publisher Auckland University Press

TE TUHINGA AUAHA - CREATIVE WRITING

Stories on the Four Winds: Ngā Hau e Whā

Authors Brian Bargh, Robyn Bargh

Publisher Huia

Journalism Award Winners

Māori Journalist of the Year and winner of the English category –

Renee Kahukura Iosefa

For a story on Māori Television’s Native Affairs that saw the then-New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd out himself as a recovering racist, sparking a national debate on racism.

Te Reo category

Maiki Sherman

For a story that ran as part of a Māori Language Week series on the 6pm news on Newshub. Ms Sherman was also a finalist in the English category for her political analysis of King Tuheitia’s backing of the Māori party. Ms Sherman won the inaugural Māori Journalist of the Year Award last year.

Te Tohu a Tanara Whairiri Kitawhiti Ngata – Lifetime Achievement Award

Wena Harawira For 37 years Wena Harawira has led the way for Māori journalists. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry inspiring and encouraging others.

ENDS

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