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