Monday, September 14, 2009


Authors to anticipate - winners of Pikihuia Awards announced

Writers to watch out for were announced at the Pikihuia Awards on Saturday night, as many are now bound for further literary success judging by previous years’ finalists such as James George, Kelly Ana Morey and Paula Morris.

Gisborne resident Mōrehu Nikora (Ngāi Tamanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) was awarded the Te Pakiwaitara i te Reo Māori Award for Best Short Story Written in Māori for his work He Reta mā Taku Huia Kamanawa. Judge for the category Julian Wilcox of Māori Television noted Nikora’s work as ‘warm, invigorating, enlightening and engaging.’

‘Whilst the language used was of an exemplary nature,’ said Wilcox, ‘what perhaps matters most is that this is a simple message for an unborn child, capturing the signs of our times and hopes for our future generations.’

Tina Makereti (Tuwharetoa, Te Ati Awa, Rangatahi, Moriori) from the Kapiti Coast took home the Short Story in English award for Skin and Bones, wowing judge and writer David Geary with a contemporary twist on a classic Māori legend.

Short story judge David Geary said he chose the winning story ‘because it was bold and sexy, a crafty combo of mystery and history that made the old new and put a big smile on my dial’.

Tina says Skin and Bones is part of a collection of stories in which she wonders what the gods might be like if they were only human.

The award for best novel extract was given to A Song for Jimmy by Porirua resident K-T Harrison (Ngati-Paoa, Ngati-Haua). K-T grew up in Tokoroa and has lived in South Auckland and Waikato. K-T has five children and fifteen grandchildren. She has been a finalist in the Pikihuia awards in previous years, three of her stories were finalists in the novel extract and short story categories this year.

Urban Wellingtonian Nathaniel Hinde (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou) was awarded the Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga Award for Best Short Film Script Written in English for his work Ten Cent Life.

Judge for the category Rhonda Kite praised Nathaniel’s script as ‘clever, amusing and warm hearted’. ‘This year’s recipient spoke in an absorbing and compelling way through his character,’ she said.

Judges from Huia Publishers found the secondary school category particularly difficult to find a winner as many of those shortlisted were of high distinction. However, the winning entry Got Your Back, Bro by Tyler Edwardson (Te Whakatōhea, Te Whānau-a-Apanui) of Kawerau was one that stood out from the rest.

‘Loyalty was a strong theme in many of the secondary school stories, but we found this story in particular had an engaging imagery and style that encapsulated the true essence of writing from a rangatahi perspective,’ said Te Mihinga Komene of Huia Publishers.

The thirty-two best short stories and novel extracts from the Pikihuia Awards for Māori Writers this year have been published in Huia Short Stories 8, released in conjunction with the awards night at Te Papa Museum.

WINNERS:
Te Waka Toi Secondary Student Short Story Award for Best Short Story Written in Māori or English by a Secondary School Student
Winner: Got your back, bro by Tyler Edwardson (Te Whakatōhea, Te Whānau-a-Apanui), Kawerau resident.
Highly Commended: Nothing lasts forever by Manita Grant (Te Arawa, Whakatōhea, Te Whānau-a-Apanui), Rotorua resident.
Highly Commended: Love and Hate by Tihema Baker (Ngati Rukawa), Otaki resident.

Huia Publishers Short Story Award for Best Short Story Written in English
Winner: Skin and Bones Tina Makereti (Tuwharetoa, Te Ati Awa, Rangatahi, Moriori), Paraparaumu resident.
Highly Commended: Time Zone by Kelly Joseph (Ngati Maniapoto), Paekakariki resident.
Highly Commended: Land Antiquity By Piripi Evans (Ngati Mutunga, Ngai tahu), Paparangi resident.

Te Pakiwaitara i te Reo Māori Award for Best Short Story Written in Māori
Winner: He Reta mā Taku Huia Kaimanawa by Mōrehu Nikora (Ngāi Tamanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki), Gisborne resident.
Highly Commended: A Ihu it e Pekanga by Ruihapounamu Ruwhiu (Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Nga Puhi, Ngati Awa), Rotorua resident.
Highly Commended: Hiahia atu, Heahea mai: Te Ngai a te Manako!

Te Puni Kōkiri Novel Extract Award for Best Novel Extract Written in English
Winner: A song for Jimmy by K-T Harrison (Waikato, Hauraki), Porirua City.
Highly Commended: House of Mirrors by Paul Gilbert (Ngai Tahu), Hamilton resident.
Highly Commended: The Fire Eater by Ann French (Nga Puhi), Tauranga resident.

NZ Film Commission - Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga Award for Best Short Film Script Written in English
Winner: Ten cent life by Nathaniel Hinde (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou), Wellington resident.
Highly Commended: Maaka’s vision by Kylie-Marama Meehan (Maniapoto), Tauranga resident
Highly Commended: Ross and Beth by Hamish Bennett (Te Arawa), Auckland resident.

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